Calochortus gunnisonii var. perpulcher (Pecos Mariposa Lily)
Family
LILIACEAE
Synonyms
NONE
Common Name
Pecos Mariposa Lily
| USFWS | State of NM | USFS | BLM | Navajo Nation | State Rank | Global Rank | R-E-D Code | NMRPTC Status | Strategy Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEN | S1 | G5T1 | 2-1-3 | R | SS |
| Overall Conservation Status | Documented Threats | Actions Needed |
|---|---|---|
| UNDER CONSERVED | No Information |
Population trend monitoring. Document threats (grazing, climate change, recreation), taxonomic work |
Counties
Description
Erect perennial herbs, from ovoid bulbs, stems slender, usually one per bulb, 2-6 dm tall, bearing a few long, narrow leaves and 1-3 flowers at the apex; flowers 3-merous, large, bell-shaped, erect; sepals lanceolate, 2-3 cm long; petals obovate, pale yellow, 3-4 cm long and 2-3 cm wide, each with an interior basal gland surrounded by golden hairs that branch at the tips; capsules linear-oblong, acute, 3-angled. Flowers late July and August.
Similar Species
Calochortus gunnisonii is the only species of mariposa lily in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Variety gunnisonii also occurs in these mountains and is distinguished by its white, pale purple, or dark purple petals.
Distribution
New Mexico, southwestern Mora, northwestern San Miguel, and southwestern Colfax counties; southeastern part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Habitat
Meadows and aspen glades in upper montane coniferous forest; 2,900-3,400 m (9,500-11,200 ft).
Remarks
This is hardly more than a color form of a variable species and needs further study. Yet it is difficult to find. Attempts to relocate the historical population on Hermit Peak have been unsuccessful.
A new population (with photo documentation) was reported from southwestern Colfax County in 2006 by Bill Dobbs.
Conservation Considerations
Presumably, variety perpulcher requires the same habitats as the common variety. Nothing is known of this species response to livestock grazing and forest fire. Gardening hobbyists will occasionally take mariposa lily bulbs from their native habitats for gardens, but these efforts nearly always go unrewarded and should not be attempted.
Important Literature
*Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal and P.K. Holmgren. 1977. Intermountain Flora, the Monocotyledons, vol. 6. Columbia University Press, New York.
Ownbey, M. 1940. A monograph of the genus Calochortus. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 27:371-553.
Information Compiled By
Robert Sivinski 1999, last updated 2006
For distribution maps and more information, visit Natural Heritage New Mexico