Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily (Calochortus leichtlinii) is in the lily family family (Liliaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,372 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily: observations by month (U.S.)
About Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily
Calochortus leichtlinii is a species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common names Leichtlin's mariposa, smokey mariposa, and mariposa lily.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4,298 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Nevada | 74 | July | Jun–Jul |
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
Yellow Mariposa Lily
White Fawnlily
Tolmie's pussy ears
Gunnison's Mariposa Lily
Bluebead 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 Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Nevada.