Calochortus amabilis is found at altitudes of 200 to 3000 meters in the Coast Ranges of California, from San Francisco Bay north t...Read Moreo Mendocino County. There is also an isolated pocket of survivors 'way down south on Vulcan Peak in San Diego County. C. amabilis grows on grassy hillsides and in open woodland, and tolerates more organic matter in the soil than most other species of Calochortus. It is known to hybridize in the wild with C. tolmiei.
C. amabilis is a member of Section I. Calochortus, Subsection 1. Pulchelli (Flowers and capsules globose to subglobose, pendant; bulbs with membranous tunics)(Callahan, "The Genus Calochortus" in "Bulbs of North America", Timber Press, 2001)
The common name comes from the ancient story of Diogenes of Sinope (4th cn. BCE.), the Greek Cynic Philosopher. A well-known, but apocryphal story tells of him wandered around Greece holding up a lantern in a vain attempt to find an honest man. He would, no doubt, have much better luck these days...;)
Will add a rating and more culture info as I grow it.
Calochortus amabilis is found at altitudes of 200 to 3000 meters in the Coast Ranges of California, from San Francisco Bay north t...Read More