After winter rains, delicate Mariposa lilies emerge in the peninsula’s grasslands. Their blossoms add splashes of color to the hillsides. Known for its bright yellow color with central reddish blotches, the flowers sit atop stems that can reach two feet in height. The stems move in the breeze like butterflies. In fact, mariposa means butterfly in Spanish.
This lily grows only in California. It is often found in rare serpentine grasslands. In the 1800s, many native grasslands were damaged by livestock grazing and fire suppression. Over time, fast-growing plants introduced from Europe and Asia moved in and crowded out native wildflowers and grasses.
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission staff are protecting and enhancing remnant grasslands on watershed lands that offer a glimpse into the past.
Gently touch the model of the flower. How many petals does a Mariposa lily have? Here’s a hint: The petals are much larger than the narrow sepals.
If you answered three – you are correct!