Also called: Sego Lily, from Shoshonean “seego’ (an edible bulb)

Calochortus macrocarpus
Gr. kalos, beautiful; chortos, grass; macrocarpus, large fruited

Description. Sagebrush Mariposa Lily offers one to three lavender blooms on a slender stem reaching 20 - 50 cm (7.5 – 20”) high and blooms late spring and into mid-summer. The slender upright seed vessels crack open at the top to reveal stacked straw-coloured flattened seeds. Unless the seed pods get tossed around by wind or feet, the seeds will be still waiting for dispersal even after snow is on the ground. Once widespread and common in our dry grasslands and open ponderosa pine forests, cattle grazing and human activities on the land have drastically reduced the numbers of viable plants in the valley.

Historical plant use. The bulbs were harvested, before the plant bloomed, and were cooked using various processes and eaten. The mashed bulbs were used as a poultice to soothe poison-ivy blisters.

Unusual aspects of this plant. The bulb can remain dormant 1 – 4 years, until growing conditions are more favored for blooming. Removing the blooms will result with death of the plant.