Calochortus

Calochortus
Sego Lily (Calochortus nuttallii)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Liliaceae
Subfamily: Calochortoideae
Genus: Calochortus
Pursh
Type species
Calochortus elegans
Synonyms[2]
  • Cyclobothra D.Don
  • Mariposa (Alph.Wood) Hoover

Calochortus /ˌkæləˈkɔːrtəs, -l-/[3][4] is a genus of flowering plants in the lily family. The group includes herbaceous, perennial and bulbous species, all native to North America (primarily the Western United States).[5][6]

The genus Calochortus includes mariposas (or mariposa lilies) with open wedge-shaped petals, globe lilies and fairy lanterns with globe-shaped flowers, and cat's ears and star tulips with erect pointed petals. The word Calochortus is derived from Greek and means "beautiful grass".[5]

  1. ^ Tropicos, Calochortus Pursh
  2. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. ^ "Calochortus". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  4. ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  5. ^ a b Flora of North America, Vol. 26 Page 119 Calochortus Pursh, Fl. Amer. Sept. 1: 240. 1814.
  6. ^ Pursh, Frederick Traugott. 1813. Flora Americae Septentrionalis; or, A systematic arrangement and description of the plants of North America. Containing, besides what have been described by preceding authors, many new and rare species, collected during twelve years travels and residence in that country 1: 240 in English and Latin