Calochortus aureus aka Golden Mariposa Lily

Calochortus aureus, or golden mariposa lily, belongs to the lily family. This bulbous perennial comes from the southwestern United States. Kew lists its range as Colorado to New Mexico. Plants For A Future also records Utah and northern Arizona. It grows on mesas, slopes, and in open pine woods. Its wild sites include dry ground with sand or clay.

Plants reach about 0.5–1.3 feet [0.15–0.4 metres] in height. The listed garden size is 1 foot [0.3 metres] tall. Its spread reaches about 0.7 feet [0.2 metres]. A small, round bulb sits beneath the soil. Each spring, it sends up narrow leaves like grass blades. Most leaves grow at the base of the plant. One or two more grow along the stem. The bulb measures about 0.4–1 inch [1–2.5 centimetres] across.

Each stem bears one to three yellow, cup-shaped flowers. They bloom from April to June. An orange-red mark may sit near each petal's base. Hairs surround a small, dark nectar gland. The sepals are slimmer than the petals and often greener. Each flower has both male and female organs. Bees and flies visit the blooms and help pollinate them. The fruit forms a capsule with three wings. It holds many flat seeds.

Grow this lily in full sun, not shade. Give it deep, fertile, sandy soil with very good drainage. It also accepts loam and mildly acid to mildly alkaline soil. The soil may be dry or moist during growth. Plants For A Future calls for dry conditions through winter. It lists USDA hardiness zones 3–7. The flowers suit rock gardens and dry native plantings. Raising plants from seed takes care during their first dormancy. Seedlings can rot when too wet or die when too dry. Ground squirrels and voles may eat the bulbs. Deer may also browse the leaves.

The bulbs and flowers have recorded food uses. People gather and peel the bulbs for eating raw. They also boil, roast, or dry them for later use. Reports also describe eating the leaves and seeds. These parts are less palatable and may irritate when eaten in quantity. Plants For A Future lists no known hazards. That does not establish safety for pets or every use. The same source records no known medicinal use.