Calochortus amabilis

The plant is endemic to northern California, from the east bay (notably in Mount Diablo State Park) and north of the San Francisco Bay Area.^{[3][4][5][12]} It grows in the Northern California Coast Ranges and Klamath Mountains, from 100 metres (330 ft)^[2][4]–1,000 metres (3,300 ft)^[2]–1,500 metres (4,900 ft)^[4] in altitude. It is a common member of the scrub and woodland flora, found on dry slopes in California oak woodland and chaparral habitats.^[2][3] Soil types vary, from the nearly solid serpentine rock to yellow clay.^[4] Natural habitat is quite wet, with 75 cm or more of rain per year, followed by a dry, hot summer. Winters are cool but not frigid (USDA zones 8-9). The growing season is from midwinter to the April–May–June flowering and seed set. The plant is dormant from mid-June to November.^[4]

Common understory plant associates are Calochortus luteus, Clarkia unguiculata and Delphinium variegatum.^{[citation needed]}

Calochortus amabilis is a bulbous perennial herb producing an upright, somewhat waxy branching stem to heights between 10 and 50 centimeters.^[2] The leaf at the base of the stem is flat, waxy, and narrow in shape, reaching up to 50 centimeters long and not withering away at flowering.^[2][13]

The inflorescence bears two or more heavily nodding flowers, each with spreading pointed yellow sepals and brown-speckled yellow petals. The inside of the petals is waxy and coated in small hairs. The fruit is a winged capsule up to three centimeters long containing dark brown seeds.^[2][5]

• Height: 10-^[2][5] 20-^[3] 30-^[7] 50 cm^[2][3][5] (4–20 in) high at maturity.
• Spread: 5 cm (2 in) spread.^[5]
• Stems: Stems are glaucous,^[2][4][7] stout,^[7] flexuous,^[4] and generally branching,^[2][3][4][7] reaching 10-^[2][4][6] 20-30^[7]-50 cm.^[2][4][6]
• Leaves: Leaves come in two types: cauline^[2][3][7] or basal^[2][3] (radical).^[7]
  • Basal/radical leaves: Basal leaves are shiny,^[4] lanceolate-acuminate,^[7] narrow,^[3] measure 20-^[2] 25-^[7] 50 cm^[2][3] in length, and are persistent^[2][4] through the bloom and early fruiting stage.^[4]
  • Cauline leaves: 2-4 lanceolate to linear leaves,^[2] measuring 2–20 cm in length.^[2][3]
• Inflorescences: Nodding,^[2][3][7] pendent^[4] flowers are borne in groups of 2-many,^[2] hanging in open branched clusters.^[3] Bracts are lanceolate, and measure 2–10 cm in length.^[2]
  • Flowers: Flowers measure about 2.5-^[3][4] 4 cm^[4] in length and are borne from April–June.^[2][3]
  • Perianth: Perianth is spheric and is either neatly closed at the tip^[2] or has petals that overlap slightly at the tip.^[2][7]
    • Sepals: Three^[3][7] conspicuous^[5] ovate^[2] to lanceolate,^[2][3] spreading sepals, are deeply appressed at the base to the petals.^[4] Sepals are often tinged green^[4][5] or red,^[4] and measure 1.5-^[2] 2 cm^[2][3] long. Sepals are held horizontally to slightly descending.^[4]
    • Petals: Three^[3][7] ovate ^[7] or widely lanceolate^[2] petals with a short claw and obtuse apex^[7] are deeply^[2][3] to brightly^[4] yellow, sometimes tinged green^[4][5] with abaxial brown spots ^[2] and are glabrous,^[2][7] except for the margins, which are densely ciliate (having a fringe of hairs),^[2][3][7][4] Petals are slightly longer than sepals^[3] and measure 1.6-^[2] 2 cm long.^[2][3]
  • Nectary: Crescent-shaped^[2][5][3][4] to almost rectangular,^[4] depressed,^[2][4] (forming a knoblike structure on the outside of each petal)^[4] with several transverse, fringed membranes with white or yellow glandular hairs measuring 1/3-2/3 of the width of the petals.^[2]
  • Stamens:
    • Filaments: 5mm in length, dilated at the base.^[2]
    • Anthers: 3-4mm in length, white to pale yellow.^[2]
• Fruit: Nodding, oblong, winged capsule, measuring 2–3 cm in length.^[2]
• Seeds: Dark brown and irregularly shaped.^[2]

The bulbs of Calochortus amabilis are a traditional food of the Kashaya Pomo of California, who bake or boil the bulbs, which are then eaten like baked or boiled potatoes.^[8][14] They are a beloved food of the Pomo, locally referred to as "bo".^[7]

Calochortus amabilis is cultivated as an ornamental plant by specialty native plant and bulb nurseries, for use in traditional and wildlife gardens, and natural landscaping projects.

• Hardiness: Hardy,^[4][5] particularly if well mulched. In cold areas, it can be grown in an alpine house or an unheated glasshouse.^[4]
• Light : Prefers sun^[6] to partial^[4][6] or full shade.^[4]
• Soil: Adaptable, but prefers well-drained soil.^[6] Prefers a humus-rich, water-retentive medium with up to two thirds organic matter and one third sand, gravel, or grit.^[4]
• Water: Drought tolerant to moderate.^[6] In the wild, the plant grows in areas with more than 2.5 cm of rain per week during the growing season. If grown in pots, plants should get 2.2-3.8 cm of water per week, since containers typically dry out more quickly. Complete dryness is needed for the dormant season; some growers dig the bulbs up for the summer to prevent premature autumn growth or bulb rot.^[4]
• Propagation: Sow seed as soon as ripe.^[5] Seeds require no treatment to aid germination.^[10]
• Pests and diseases: Trouble free.^[5]

In the wild, C. amabilis naturally hybridizes with Calochortus tolmiei.^[4]

Amabilis means 'pleasing', 'likeable', or 'lovely'. Calochortus is derived from Greek meaning 'beautiful grass', a reference to the characteristic grass-like foliage of the genus.^[15] The full name translates literally to 'lovable, beautiful grass'.^[3][15]

The common name "Diogenes' Lantern" is a reference to the Greek philosopher Diogenes, who famously carried a lantern around in broad daylight, claiming he was "looking for a man" (implying that none of the beings he saw around him qualified; sometimes quoted as "looking for an honest man").^[16]