Bloomipedia
Tolmie's pussy ears (Calochortus tolmiei)
Photo: Diego Blanco via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized

Flower profile

Tolmie's pussy ears

Calochortus tolmiei

Native to Oregon

Tolmie's pussy ears is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Oregon it's most often seen in bloom in April–June.

3states
3,314OR sightings*
8,102U.S. sightings*

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

On our lists for: Oregon

Quick look

Calochortus tolmiei is a North American species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common names Tolmie's star-tulip and pussy ears. It was discovered by and named for Dr. William Fraser Tolmie.

  • 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 3 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Oregon. NatureServe
  • In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–June. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 3,314 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #46 among the 110 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist

Tolmie's pussy ears gift ideas

Handmade tolmie's pussy ears gifts from independent makers.

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When does it bloom?

In Oregon, most flowering sightings come in April–June.

Flowering records by month in Oregon (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,281 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
G4 Apparently secure worldwide. NatureServe
Oregon
Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

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 tolmie's pussy ears in 3 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

California, Oregon, Washington.

Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Linn, Marion, Polk, Umatilla, Washington, Yamhill.

More Oregon flowers

Checker lily (Fritillaria affinis)

Checker lily

Fritillaria affinis

Native

🌼 Blooms in OR: March–May
Columbia lily (Lilium columbianum)

Columbia lily

Lilium columbianum

Native

🌼 Blooms in OR: June–July
Hooker's fairybells (Prosartes hookeri)

Hooker's fairybells

Prosartes hookeri

Native

🌼 Blooms in OR: April–June

Sources