Flower profile

Sagebrush mariposa lily

Calochortus macrocarpus

Sagebrush mariposa lily (Calochortus macrocarpus) is a flowering plant in the Liliaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly June–July across the U.S.

Native to Idaho

Sagebrush mariposa lily is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Idaho it's most often seen in bloom in June–July.

6states where USDA records it

530ID sightings*

3,702U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Idaho

Quick look

Calochortus macrocarpus, also known as sagebrush mariposa lily, is a North American species of bulbous perennials in the lily family.
From Wikipedia's article Calochortus macrocarpus, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Liliaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 6 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to Idaho. ^NatureServe
In Idaho, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–July. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as mid summer. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 1.8 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 530 research-grade sightings of it in Idaho, ranking #60 among the 143 flowers on our Idaho list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Idaho, most flowering sightings come in June–July.

Flowering records by month in Idaho (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (164 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: G5 Secure worldwide. ^NatureServe
Idaho: No list Idaho has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Idaho ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Idaho.
Rare elsewhere: Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: NV (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNon-toxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Calochortus nuttalli” (Calochortus spp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Eating lots of any plant can still upset a pet's stomach. ^ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records sagebrush mariposa lily in 6 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington.

Idaho counties with USDA records: Ada, Adams, Bear Lake, Bingham, Blaine, Boise, Butte, Clark, Elmore, Franklin, Gem, Gooding, Idaho, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Owyhee, Washington.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Sagebrush mariposa lily a high shade tolerance, high drought tolerance and low moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.7 to 7.0 and winter lows down to -23 °F.

Shade tolerance: High
Drought tolerance: High
Moisture use: Low
Soil textures it is adapted to: coarse, medium
Soil pH range: 5.7 to 7.0
Minimum temperature tolerated: -23 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 140
Annual precipitation range: 7 to 16 inches
Minimum root depth: 8 inches
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fertility requirement: Low
Growth rate: Moderate
Lifespan: Moderate
Active growth period: Summer
Fruit or seed: Brown · Summer to Summer
Can be propagated by: bulb, seed
Commercial availability: Contracting Only

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for CAMA5. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 63 counties across 6 states; the most are in Oregon (19), Washington (19), Idaho (17).

Other Calochortus on Bloomipedia (9): White globe lily, Yellow mariposa lily, Tolmie's pussy ears, Gunnison's mariposa lily, Sego lily, Winding mariposa lily, White mariposa lily, Bruneau mariposa lily, Baker's mariposa lily.

More from the Liliaceae family (32 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Yellow trout lily, Cucumber root, Bluebead lily, White fawnlily, Checker lily, Glacier lily, Columbia lily, Hooker's fairybells.

More Idaho flowers

White mariposa lily

Calochortus eurycarpus

Native

🌼 Blooms in ID: June–July

Glacier lily

Erythronium grandiflorum

Native

🌼 Blooms in ID: April–June

Yellow fritillary

Fritillaria pudica

Native

🌼 Blooms in ID: March–May

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile CAMA5.
iNaturalist, Calochortus macrocarpus: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Calochortus macrocarpus (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Idaho: Idaho noxious weeds (IDAPA 02.06.09, Section 220).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Calochortus macrocarpus (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: ASPCA.
Photo: Cindy Bell via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.