Stems not branching, ca. 1 dm. Leaves: basal persistent, ca. 2 dm; blade lanceolate, tapering at base, flat. Inflorescences subumbellate, 2-flowered. Flowers erect; perianth open, campanulate; sepals smaller than petals; petals pink to light purplish, obovate, 35-40 mm, adaxial surface hairy only distal to gland, margins yellow-ciliate; glands bordered proximally by wide, ciliate membrane, distally by short hairs; anthers lanceolate, apex apiculate. Capsules nodding, winged, ellipsoid, ca. 1 cm, apex acute. Seeds irregular. 2n = 20.

Flowering late spring--mid summer. Open areas in rocky soils; of conservation concern; 1000--1500 m; Calif.

Calochortus persistens is restricted to the Klamath and Cascade ranges in Siskiyou County.