doubting mariposa lily
Calochortus ambiguus (M.E.Jones) Ownbey
Calochortus ambiguus, known as doubting mariposa lily, is a perennial plant in the Liliaceae family. It is native to the Sonoran Desert regions of Arizona, western New Mexico, southern Utah, and Sonora, Mexico. This species is typically found growing at higher elevations.
Description
Calochortus ambiguus, or doubting mariposa lily, is a member of the Liliaceae family. It is a perennial plant species that occurs in the higher elevations of the Sonoran Desert. Its distribution spans parts of Arizona, western New Mexico, southern Utah, and the Mexican state of Sonora. The species was first described in 1940 by Ownbey, based on earlier work by M.E. Jones. It is one of several mariposa lily species in the genus Calochortus, which is known for its ornamental flowers and desert adaptations.
Other common names
doubting mariposa lily
Distribution
Arizona · Mexico Northwest · New Mexico · Utah
Synonyms
Calochortus watsonii var. ambiguus
