Quality Botanical Art & Affordable Prices
Vorobik Botanical Art
P.O. Box 866, Lopez Island, WA 98261. 510-520-2423. vorobik@gmail.com
All images on this site copyright Linda Ann Vorobik unless otherwise stated; Use granted only with written permission.
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click on image for detail view
Catalina Island Mariposa Lily
Calochortus catalinae--click image for detail view
Family: Mariposa Lily
Original Pen & Ink with Watercolor: PRIVATE COLLECTION
Prints--200 edition, Giclee, Arches Watercolor paper, 17 by 22 inches, $95.00 with mat; $65 unmatted
Cards--5 by 7 inches, on watercolor paper with a deckled edge, $3.00 each
Catalina Island Mariposa Lily (Calochortus catalinae)
Liliaceae ~ Lily Family
The genus Calochortus is found throughout the west, but is best represented in California, with over 40 species occurring there. Calochortus catalinae occurs on the coast of southern California, especially on the Channel Islands. Other species are found from eastern Washington south to Central America. The meaning of the name Calochortus is very appropriate: beautiful grass. The plants often have long grasslike leaves adorned with flowers so lovely as to compare them with butterflies: Mariposa means butterfly in Spanish, and another name for these plants is butterfly tulip. Whenever I encounter a mariposa lily I take the time to peek inside its amazing flowers. Each has an ornate nectary (area of nectar producing tissue), with interesting coloring and often fringed with hairs. Butterfly tulips may be challenging for the gardener, but at least a dozen species are listed as in cultivation. Many of the species are rare, so these plants should never be picked or otherwise collected from the wild.
