Clay Mariposa Lily (Calochortus argillosus) is in the lily family family (Liliaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,264 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Clay Mariposa Lily: observations by month (U.S.)
About Clay Mariposa Lily
Calochortus argillosus is a species of flowering plant in the lily family which is known by the common name clay mariposa lily.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Clay Mariposa Lily by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,264 | May | May–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (lily family)
Yellow Trout Lily
Checker Lily
White Globe Lily
Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily
Yellow Mariposa Lily
White Fawnlily
Tolmie's pussy ears
Gunnison's Mariposa Lily
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Clay Mariposa Lily?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Clay Mariposa Lily most often seen?
The most observations come from California.