Winding Mariposa Lily (Calochortus flexuosus) is in the lily family family (Liliaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 905 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Winding Mariposa Lily: observations by month (U.S.)
About Winding Mariposa Lily
Calochortus flexuosus is a species of lily known by the common names winding Mariposa lily and straggling Mariposa lily.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Winding Mariposa Lily by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 363 | April | Apr–May |
| Nevada | 327 | April | Mar–May |
| Utah | 195 | April | Apr–May |
| New Mexico | 15 | May | Apr–May |
| Colorado | 5 | May | May–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 Winding Mariposa Lily?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from April to May.
Where is Winding Mariposa Lily most often seen?
The most observations come from Arizona, Nevada, Utah.