Calochortus venustus, commonly known as Butterfly Mariposa Lily, is a perennial herb native to California’s diverse ecosystems, including grasslands, open woodlands, and chaparral, at elevations of 984-8858 feet (300-2700 meters). It is particularly adapted to the Mediterranean climate of the region, with its wet winters and dry summers. This species typically features grass-like leaves and stems reaching up to 24 inches tall, with bulbs that lie dormant during the dry season.

The Butterfly Mariposa Lily is celebrated for its large, showy flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. The flowers exhibit a stunning array of colors—white, pink, purple, red, and orange—with intricate patterns that attract pollinators. Each flower has three sepals and three distinctive clawed petals, which give it a unique, ornate appearance. The fruit is an angled capsule that follows the flowering period. In cultivation, this plant is valued for its drought tolerance and striking floral display, making it a favorite in native plant gardens, rock gardens, and as a naturalizing element in informal settings. It thrives in light, sandy soils with good drainage and requires full sun exposure to flourish. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to bulb rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0