Stems usually branching, 8-25 cm, not bearing bulblets. Leaves: basal persistent, 2-4 dm; blade lanceolate, flat; cauline usually present. Inflorescences subum-bellate, 3-12-flowered. Flowers ± erect; perianth open, campanulate; sepals 10-14 mm; petals white to pale pink, usually with purple blotch near gland, widely obovate to cuneate, 12-18 mm, adaxial surface not ciliate, ± glabrous, margins irregularly dentate distally; glands basally convex, covered by broad, ciliate membrane, bordered distally by short hairs; filaments longer than anthers; anthers oblong, apex acute or obtuse. Capsules nodding, 3-winged, 1-2 cm. Seeds dark brown, irregular. 2n = 20.

Flowering early spring--early summer. Openings in chaparral or woods, often on serpentine; 100--700 m; Calif.

Calochortus umbellatus grows around San Francisco Bay. It is reported also from Lake County.