mariposa lily
noun
mar·i·po·sa lily
ˌmer-ə-ˈpō-zə- 
ˌma-rə-,
-sə-
: any of a genus (Calochortus) of western North American plants of the lily family with showy flowers having three petals and three sepals
called also mariposa tulip
compare sego lilyExamples of mariposa lily in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There are several California natives like Calochortus luteus (mariposa lily) and Dichelostemma congestum (ookow/snake lily) that bloom in the spring and require no summer water.
—
Alice Cason, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
When a super bloom happens, the desert is painted in shades of gold, purple, pink, and white flowers, thanks to flowers like the bear poppy, mariposa lily, desert chicory, and lilac sunbonnet.
—Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 20 Mar. 2025
The trail is also a great place to see wildflowers, including the orange desert mariposa lily, blooming in April and May, and the bright red desert paintbrush, in summer.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 27 Dec. 2024
Desert mariposa lily and magnificent lupine grow in early summer in the park’s mountains and juniper woodlands.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
Look for native mariposa lilies such as pink blooming Calochortus splendens, bright yellow with gold speckled Calochortus weedii, and white blooming Calochortus dunnii.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024
Among the typical spring flowers are orange or purple mariposa lilies, desert five spots (with their five red spots), bright yellow desert golds and desert dandelions, and purple sage.
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Naturalist Ann Sarg suggests visiting the park to catch blooms in May, when natives like Nelson’s larkspur, nuttall violet, sand lilies, and mariposa lily bloom along paths like the Willow Creek trail.
—Sunset, 22 Jan. 2018
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Alice Cason, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
When a super bloom happens, the desert is painted in shades of gold, purple, pink, and white flowers, thanks to flowers like the bear poppy, mariposa lily, desert chicory, and lilac sunbonnet.
—Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 20 Mar. 2025
The trail is also a great place to see wildflowers, including the orange desert mariposa lily, blooming in April and May, and the bright red desert paintbrush, in summer.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 27 Dec. 2024
Desert mariposa lily and magnificent lupine grow in early summer in the park’s mountains and juniper woodlands.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
Look for native mariposa lilies such as pink blooming Calochortus splendens, bright yellow with gold speckled Calochortus weedii, and white blooming Calochortus dunnii.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024
Among the typical spring flowers are orange or purple mariposa lilies, desert five spots (with their five red spots), bright yellow desert golds and desert dandelions, and purple sage.
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Naturalist Ann Sarg suggests visiting the park to catch blooms in May, when natives like Nelson’s larkspur, nuttall violet, sand lilies, and mariposa lily bloom along paths like the Willow Creek trail.
—Sunset, 22 Jan. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Mariposa lily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mariposa%20lily. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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