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Local Species Information - Siskiyou Mariposa Lily (Calochortus persistens)
Siskiyou mariposa lily. Photo by Frank A. Lang. General Information
Natural History Background Edward L. Greene first collected Siskiyou mariposa lilies on June 30, 1876, from the “mountains near Yreka,” Siskiyou County, California. Siskiyou mariposa lily occurs in three locations in northern California and southern Oregon. The most recent location was discovered in 2006. Given the limited distribution of Siskiyou mariposa lily, risks to this species include competition from invasive species, herbivory by mammals and insects, changes to natural fire regimes, and human activities that damage plants or their habitat. Identifying Characteristics
Description: Siskiyou mariposa lily is a perennial (growing for more than one season) flowering plant which grows at elevations of 4,300 to 6,060 feet. Plants grow from a bulb and reach a height of up to 6 inches with a single strap-shaped leaf (approximately 8 inches long) attached to the base of the plant. The leaf is visible in late spring before the plant blooms, which occurs in late June. The flowers of Siskiyou mariposa lily are bell-shaped, like a tulip. Each plant may have up to three pink to lavender flowers made up of three petals. The lower and inner portion of each flower petal is yellow and covered with gold hairs. After blooming, the seed capsule remains covered with the dried flower parts. The persistence of the dried flower parts gave the plant its scientific name, Calochortus persistens.
Siskiyou mariposa lily seed capsule with dried flower parts. Rodents likely clipped the stem of this plant. Photo by Marla Knight, Klamath National Forest.
Look-a-like plants: Siskiyou mariposa lily is not likely to be mistaken for other plants within the current geographic range of this species. Geographic Range The range of Siskiyou mariposa lily is limited to northern California and southern Oregon.
shows the approximate distribution of the species. Habitat Siskiyou mariposa lilies grow in openings on ridge tops, rocky outcrops, and talus slopes. The plants grow in soils that are shallow, dry, rocky, and acidic. Siskiyou mariposa lilies are found in greater numbers on north facing slopes and are never far from a ridge top. Lightning strikes on ridge tops leading to fires may be important in maintaining the open characteristics of Siskiyou mariposa lily habitat.
in red near the bottom center of the photo. Photo by Brad Tong, BLM Current Information A list of references pertaining to Siskiyou mariposa lily is available here. Additional literature citations will be added to this list as they become available. Conservation Actions Habitat Conservation Plan There are no Habitat Conservation Plans for the Siskiyou mariposa lily. For more information on Habitat Conservation Plans, click here Safe Harbor Agreement There are no Safe Harbor Agreements for the Siskiyou mariposa lily. For more information on Safe Harbor Agreements, click here Candidate Conservation Agreements There are no Candidate Conservation Agreements for the Siskiyou mariposa lily. For more information on Candidate Conservation Agreements, click here Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances There are no Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances for the Siskiyou mariposa lily. For more information on Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances, click here. Links for More Information National U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Siskiyou mariposa lily Species Profile Federal Register Notices & Documents Survey Protocols: Guidelines for Reporting and Conducting Botanical Inventories and General Rare Plant Survey Guidelines |
