Skip to content

Mariposa lily

Mariposa lily (Calochortus sp.) is a genus of bulbous plants native to western North America, with delicate cup-shaped flowers. Little known in industrial perfumery, their flowers give off a discreet, delicate scent. The mariposa lily note is generally an olfactory reconstruction, evoking a fresh flower, slightly creamy and powdery.

Mariposa lily, a wildflower with delicate floral accents

Mariposa lily refers to plants of the genus Calochortus, a group of bulbous plants native mainly to western North America, from Mexico to British Columbia. Their cup-shaped flowers, with delicately colored petals, grow in prairies and semi-arid areas. They are little known outside their natural range.

In perfumery, mariposa lily is not subject to significant industrial extraction. The note is therefore most often an olfactory reconstruction, seeking to evoke a fresh flower, slightly creamy and powdery, with a subtle green facet. It belongs to the tradition of delicate, natural florals.

This note is used in light floral compositions, spring bouquets, or fragrances with a natural and wild character. It brings a discreet floral sweetness and a vegetal freshness, evoking the open, sun-drenched landscapes of North America.