White Globe Lily
Calochortus albus
Its petals are fringed with delicate hairs and curve inward, creating a protected micro-environment for its insect pollinators.
- Scientific name
- Calochortus albus
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Liliopsida › Liliales › Liliaceae › Calochortus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Shady canyons, oak woodlands, and brushy slopes.
- Diet
- Photosynthetic (sunlight, water, soil minerals).
- Range
- California Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, Peninsular Ranges
- Size
- 20 to 80 cm in height.
- Lifespan
- Perennial; bulbs can survive for decades if undisturbed.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, invasive grasses, and illegal poaching for gardens.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. Observe from the trail to avoid crushing delicate bulbs. Never pick wildflowers; they are essential food for local pollinators and need to set seed for next year.
Calochortus albus is a species in the genus Calochortus in the family Liliaceae . It is also known by the common names fairy lantern , white fairy lantern , pink fairy lantern , lantern of the fairies , globe lily , white globe lily , white globe-tulip , alabaster tulip , Indian bells, satin bells , snowy lily-bell , and snow drops .
Photo: Cricket Raspet, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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