Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Calochortus simulans is a species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common name San Luis Obispo mariposa lily, not to be confused with the San Luis mariposa lily C. obispoensis. It is native to San Luis Obispo County, California, and its range extends south into Santa Barbara County. It is a perennial herb producing a branching stem up to 60 centimeters tall. The basal leaf is 10 to 20 centimeters long and withers by flowering. The flower cluster is a loose cluster of 1 to 3 erect, bell-shaped flowers. Each flower has three curving sepals and three longer petals, each up to 5 centimeters long. The petals are white to yellow with a deep red spot at the base. The fruit is an angled capsule 5 or 6 centimeters in length.

Plant type

Perennial herb, Geophyte

Size

2 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Pink, Yellow, White, Red

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Low, Very Low

Summer irrigation

Never irrigate once established

Soil drainage

Fast

Site type

Sandy places

Plant communities

Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Valley Grassland

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 1 likely

Confirmed Likely

Orange Tortrix Moth

Argyrotaenia franciscana