Mariposa << `mar` uh POH suh or `mar` uh POH zuh >> lily is a group of spring-blooming flowers with petals that resemble a butterfly’s wings. Mariposa is the Spanish word for butterfly. Several dozen species (kinds) of mariposa lilies exist. The beautiful flowers are sometimes called fairy lantern, globe tulip, sego lily, or butterfly lily.
Native to the Western United States, mariposa lilies have narrow leaves shaped like blades of grass. The cup-shaped flowers grow singly or in small clusters and look like tulips. Colors range from white to purple to deep yellow or orange. The lilies grow well in sandy, porous soil, but need a lot of water. They grow from underground bulbs. Bulbs should be dried out in summer for fall planting. In their native regions, the lilies make excellent flowers for woodland or rock gardens.
