Oakland Mariposa Lily
Calochortus umbellatus
Care
full sun, part shade
very low
0–0ft tall
Friendly
Prized
Bulbs eaten raw or roasted; traditional Indigenous food
Grasslands of the East Bay Hills in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, below 2000 ft elevation.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant your Oakland Mariposa Lily in full sun in a location that mimics its natural habitat of open grasslands and chaparral. This rare California native needs excellent drainage, so amend heavy Bay Area clay with compost or sand before planting. Space plants about 6-8 inches apart if planting multiple bulbs, and plant in fall (September through November) to allow the bulb to establish before spring blooming.
After Planting
Water very sparingly after planting - this is a low-water native that prefers dry conditions once established and should never be watered during its dormant summer period. After flowering in spring, let the foliage die back naturally; the plant will go dormant in summer as it would in nature. The biggest mistake gardeners make is overwatering, which causes bulb rot - treat this plant like a chaparral dweller and err on the side of dry.
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Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
California Species of Special Concern due to habitat loss and localized population declines
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Primary pollinator attraction during brief flowering window
Early spring foraging when blooms emerge from bulbs
Pollen collection during flowering period
Mammals
Emerging shoots and leaves grazed during spring growth
Seed cache collection and storage for winter food
Reptiles
Burrows near bulb patches used for diurnal refuge
Bulb corms and surrounding soil used for hibernacula and refuge