Calochortus superbus

This is my first year seeing a large number of this species in bloom. I first encountered it up in Glenn County as a few individuals growing among a large patch of C. luteus  and then more recently was told about a very large population growing in the exurbs near Placerville, California.

The species grows in clay soils and is tolerant of serpentine. The flowers are usually creamy with a noticeable blotch surrounded by yellow. The most easily seen diagnostic feature is the inverted-v shape of the gland. It has a very wide range, from the North Coast Ranges to the Sierras and south to Mt. Palomar in southern California.

Today's photos are from the population in El Dorado County, near Placerville.