The Collaborative International Dictionary
butterfly lily
Mariposa lily \Ma`ri*po"sa lil`y\ [Sp. mariposa a butterfly + E. lily. So called from the gay appearance of the blossoms.] (Bot.) One of a genus ( Calochortus) of tuliplike bulbous herbs with large, and often gaycolored, blossoms. Called also butterfly lily. Most of them are natives of California.