Calochortus clavatus aka Clubhair Mariposa Lily

Calochortus clavatus is a bulbous plant from California. It belongs to the lily family, Liliaceae. Common names include golden bowl and clubhair mariposa lily. It grows in a temperate climate. In the wild, it lives on dry slopes, often among rocks. These sites lie below about 3,940 feet [1,200 metres]. It often grows on serpentine soils.

The plant has an upright form and grows from a bulb. It reaches about 3.3 feet [1 metre] tall. Plants For A Future lists its growth rate as moderate. Its flowers are yellow and appear from April to June. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. Its height and spring flowers suit borders, rock gardens, and alpine gardens.

Choose a hot, sunny site with deep, fertile soil. The soil must drain very well. Sandy soil is preferred, though loam is also suitable. The plant accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline conditions. It does not grow in shade. Give it space rather than crowding it with other plants. A site near a south-facing wall is one suggested option. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 8–10. Its separate claim of strong cold hardiness conflicts with that range.

Water timing is a key challenge in cultivation. Plants For A Future recommends moisture from early winter until summer, followed by a dry rest. Yet it also calls for dry winter conditions and warns against winter wetness. These conflicting notes leave the exact winter watering regime unclear. The source describes cultivation in Britain as difficult. It suggests a bulb frame to help control conditions. It also records success in a cold frame, uncovered from March through October.

Seed can be sown when ripe or in early spring. Use a cold frame and a mix that drains fast. Germination may take one to six months at 59°F [15°C]. Leave young plants undisturbed for their first two years. Their first dormant season can be hard to manage. Too much moisture can cause rot; complete drying can also cause losses. The bulb is reported edible, either raw or cooked. Plants For A Future gives it a low food-use rating. It lists no known hazards or medicinal uses. That hazard statement does not establish safety for pets.