Calochortus Species, Beavertail Grass, Lavender Star Tulip

Calochortus coeruleus var. coeruleus is another mountain bulb found only in California, from Lassen County south to Amador ...Read MoreCounty in the Sierra Nevadas, at elevations between 1000 and 2200 meters, usually growing on west-facing wooded slopes in clay loam or gravel. It is one of the hardier members of the genus, and is reputed to dislike too much heat during its summer dormancy.

Sometimes confused with C. elegans and C. tolmiei, this plant has oblong anthers, and the petals are not papillose on the inner surface. All three species have petals more or less covered with white hairs, while C. coeruleus' become lavender towards the nectary.

There is one recognized varietas: C. coeruleus var. fimbriatus.

C. coeruleus belongs to Section I, Pulchelli, Subsection 2. Eleganti (Flowers broadly campanulate, held upright; petals densely bearded; capsules elliptic-oblong, three-winged, pendant; bulbs with membranous tunics.) (Callahan, "The Genus Calochortus" in "Bulbs of North America", Timber Press, 2001)

The single leaf is rather broad (for a Calochortus), hence the Common name.

One English grower states that the plant is very sensitive to over-watering in the winter.

I will add a rating and more culture info as I attempt to grow it.