Splendid Mariposa Lily (Calochortus splendens) is in the lily family family (Liliaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,218 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Splendid Mariposa Lily: observations by month (U.S.)
About Splendid Mariposa Lily
Calochortus splendens is a North American species of mariposa lily known by the common name splendid mariposa lily.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Splendid Mariposa Lily by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,218 | May | Apr–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 Splendid Mariposa Lily?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to June.
Where is Splendid Mariposa Lily most often seen?
The most observations come from California.