Calochortus pulchellus

Common Names

Mt. Diablo Fairy-Lantern, Mount Diablo Fairy-Lantern, Mount Diablo Fairy Lantern, Mount Diablo Globelily, Mount Diablo Globe Lily

Summary

Mount Diablo fairy-lantern is a bulbous perennial herb endemic to California, chiefly on Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County, where it grows on serpentine soils in chaparral and woodland slopes at about 200–800 m elevation. It forms a short to medium plant with stems 10–30 cm tall and persistent basal leaves up to 40 cm. The inflorescence bears 1–5 nodding, globular flowers with a closed apex; sepals yellow-green and petals pale-yellow, lanceolate and fringed with short thick hairs; the nectary is deeply depressed with long slender hairs. Blooms occur April–June, producing a winged capsule 2–3 cm long as fruit.

It tolerates a variety of soils but prefers deep, very well-drained sandy or gritty soil and thrives in full sun to light woodland with moisture during growth and dry winters; very cold hardy but intolerant of wet winters; best grown in a bulb frame or on a south-facing wall; propagation by seed, sowing soon after ripe with stratification; germination 1–6 months at 15°C and seedlings taking 5–7 years to flower; bulbs lift and store overwinter and can be divided after foliage dies down; the bulb is edible, and the plant has conspicuous yellow flowers.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-12 inches

Spread

3-9 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-7

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Serpentine soils

Soil Drainage

Dry, well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.1-7.5, Mildly acidic to neutral, Mildly alkaline soils

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow growth.

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Stem bulbils

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies