Diogenes' lantern
Calochortus amabilis
The name 'Diogenes' Lantern' refers to the Greek philosopher who searched for an honest man with a lamp; the flower's nodding shape resembles a handheld lantern.
- Scientific name
- Calochortus amabilis
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Liliopsida › Liliales › Liliaceae › Calochortus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Oak woodlands, chaparral, and grassy slopes, often in serpentine soils.
- Diet
- Photosynthetic (Autotroph).
- Range
- California Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento Valley foothills
- Size
- 10-50 cm tall with 2-5 cm lantern-shaped flowers.
- Lifespan
- Perennial (5-20 years via underground bulb).
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Invasive plant competition and habitat loss due to urban development.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. This plant is safe to observe from a close distance. Do not pick the flowers or disturb the bulb, as it takes years to mature. If skin contact occurs, no action is needed.
Calochortus amabilis (syn. C. pulchellus var. amabilis ) is a species of the genus Calochortus in the family Liliaceae. It is also known by the common names Diogenes' lantern , yellow globe-tulip , golden globe-tulip , yellow globe lily , golden fairy lantern , golden lily-bell , Chinese lantern , and short lily .
Photo: Don Loarie, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
Plain-text version: /species/4b7a9409-ca74-435d-8c9d-02f95905cdc8.md