Calochortus kennedyi aka Scarlet Poppy

Calochortus kennedyi has two common names: Kennedy’s lily and desert mariposa lily. It grows from a bulb and lives for years. It belongs to the lily family, Liliaceae. Its native range spans eastern California, southwestern Texas, and northern Mexico. It grows in desert grassland and creosote scrub. It also grows on open slopes with juniper. Wet springs can bring broad shows of blooms on desert hillsides.

In gardens, plants reach about 1 foot [0.3 metres] tall. Some reach 1.15 feet [0.35 metres]. Their spread is near 0.33 feet [0.1 metres]. A round bulb sustains the plant while it rests. Most leaves grow from the base, with a narrow, grass-like shape. They reach about 0.16–0.82 feet [0.05–0.25 metres] long. They tend to dry out before the flowers open. Each upright stem bears one to three blooms. The broad cups span about 0.13–0.20 feet [0.04–0.06 metres].

The spring blooms have three broad orange or copper-red petals. Some have scarlet tones, with darker petal bases. Each petal has nectar glands near its base. These glands are yellow or reddish-brown, edged with fine gold hairs. The narrower sepals may look green or have orange tones. Bees and other insects pollinate the blooms. Native bees and bee flies feed on their nectar and pollen. The blooms give them food early in the desert spring.

Grow this lily in full sun, in soil that drains well. Sand or loam suits it, even with few nutrients. It likes neutral soil or soil that is slightly alkaline. It copes with drought and grows in dry or moist soil. Keep bulbs dry while they rest in summer. Too much water then often makes plants fail. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 6–9. Rock gardens and dry gardens suit its needs. Grow new plants from seed or split the bulbs. Seeds need winter chill; plants grown from them may take years to bloom. Once settled, plants need little care and can live for many years. Rodents, such as pocket gophers, sometimes eat the bulbs.

Cooked bulbs taste sweet and starchy, with a history of food use. Records name Hopi, Zuni, and Navajo among groups that used them. Roasting brings out their sweet taste; boiling makes them soft. Raw bulbs may cause mild gut upset, so do not eat them. Leaves and seeds have little food value. The supplied evidence records no use as medicine. Some wild groups have sensitive or protected status. Do not gather bulbs from wild plants in national or state parks.