Brightest of the mariposas, the short-stemmed, flame-like flowers
usually appear singly, but may occur in patches, producing in April a
spectacular display visible from a long distance. Plants growing under
bushes elongate their stems to elevate their blossoms into the sunlight.
Occasional in the Mojave-Colorado Desert, this species is abundant in
the foothills of some of southern Arizona’s mountain ranges, exceeding
even the goldpoppy in the neon-like brilliance of display. _Mariposa_ is
Spanish for butterfly, and the genus name _calochortus_ is Greek for
beautiful grass.
_Calochortus kennedyi_ Lily Family
[Illustration: DESERT MARIPOSA]