Mt. Diablo Fairy Lantern

Calochortus pulchellus is known from Mt. Diablo, Contra Costa County.

Stems usually branching distal to base, 1–3 dm, not glaucous. Leaves: basal persistent, 1–4 dm; blade green, lanceolate, tapering at base, flat, not glaucous. Inflorescences 1–5-flowered. Flowers nodding; perianth closed at apex, ± globular; sepals spreading, yellow-green, ovate to lanceolate, 2–3 cm, glabrous, apex acuminate; petals pale yellow, lanceolate, 3–5 cm, conspicuously fringed with short, thick hairs, adaxial surface glabrous or sparsely hairy, apex obtuse; glands deeply depressed, bordered distally by long, slender hairs; filaments 6–8 mm; anthers oblong, 3–5 mm, apex obtuse or acute. Capsules nodding, winged, ellipsoid-oblong, 2–4 cm. Seeds dark brown, irregular. 2n = 20.

Calif.

Flowering late spring--early summer.

Open places in woods, chaparral, typically on serpentine; of conservation concern; 200--800m.

Cyclobothra pulchella Bentham, Trans. Hort. Soc. London, ser. 2, 1: 412, plate 14, fig. 1. 1835