mariposa lily

American  

[mar-uh-poh-suh, -zuh] / ˌmær əˈpoʊ sə, -zə /

noun

1. any lily of the genus Calochortus, of the western U.S. and Mexico, having tuliplike flowers of various colors.

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Etymology

Origin of mariposa lily

1880–85, < Spanish mariposa butterfly, moth; so named because blooms were likened to butterflies

Example Sentences

Numerous trails and parks in the Santa Monica Mountains have wildflower clusters right now, particularly California and fire poppies, lupines and mariposa lilies.

From Los Angeles Times

There are native and nonnative plants all around the Bowl, but this area in particular is home to Plummer’s mariposa lily, a rare plant.

From Los Angeles Times

And the alkali mariposa lily and ash meadows blazing star are among the plants that grow only along this river.

From New York Times

Waist-high violet lupines, delicate mariposa lilies and knee-high shooting stars left us no room to walk.

From Washington Post

Calochortus.—Beautiful bulbous plants, called mariposa lilies, requiring warm sheltered spots in rich gritty and well-drained soil.

From Project Gutenberg