Desert Mariposa Lily (Calochortus kennedyi) is in the lily family family (Liliaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,569 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Desert Mariposa Lily: observations by month (U.S.)
About Desert Mariposa Lily
Calochortus kennedyi is a North American species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common name desert mariposa lily.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Desert Mariposa Lily by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,029 | May | Apr–May |
| Arizona | 515 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Nevada | 25 | April | Apr–May |
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 Desert Mariposa Lily?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to May.
Where is Desert Mariposa Lily most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Nevada.