mariposa

/ ˌmærɪˈpəʊzə; -sə /

noun

1. any of several liliaceous plants of the genus Calochortus, of the southwestern US and Mexico, having brightly coloured tulip-like flowers Also calledmariposa lilymariposa tulip

Word History and Origins

Origin of mariposa¹

C19: from Spanish: butterfly; from the likeness of the blooms to butterflies

Example Sentences

We’d left him sitting by the riverbank, drying under a mulberry tree, the tiny mariposas clinging to his mouth and nostrils as if trying to resuscitate him.

From Literature

There are native and nonnative plants all around the Bowl, but this area in particular is home to Plummer’s mariposa lily, a rare plant.

From Los Angeles Times

“Do any of you know what mariposa means?”

From Washington Post

And the alkali mariposa lily and ash meadows blazing star are among the plants that grow only along this river.

From New York Times

Two endangered lilies — Green’s mariposa and Gentner’s fritillary — bloom purple and red each spring.

From New York Times