Calochortus nuttallii aka Sego Lily

Calochortus nuttallii is the sego lily. It belongs to Liliaceae, the lily family. It grows from a bulb and lives for many years. It comes from the central and west-central United States. Its range spans Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, and nearby states. It grows in dry grassland and scrub. Sites include foothills and mountain meadows. It is Utah’s state flower, with a long food history. Native peoples used its bulbs as food. Later, settlers relied on them when food was scarce.

Plants reach about 0.5–1.3 feet [0.15–0.4 metres] tall. One source gives a height of 0.7 feet [0.2 metres]. A small, round bulb feeds the growth above ground. One thin, grass-like leaf grows from the base in early spring. It can reach about 0.7 feet [0.2 metres] long. The leaf fades by the time the blooms open. Each plant bears one to several upright blooms.

The cup-shaped flowers span about 0.13–0.2 feet [0.04–0.06 metres]. The petals range from white and cream to pink shades. Purple or maroon marks form crescents at their bases. Fine hairs ring a yellow or green nectar gland. The sepals are narrower and may look green or purple. PFAF gives June as the month of bloom. Each flower has both male and female parts. Bees and bee flies seek nectar and pollen there. Once pollen does its work, a seed pod forms. This capsule has three angles.

Give this lily full sun and soil that drains well. It suits sand or loam, from dry to moist. The soil can be slightly acid, neutral, or slightly alkaline. PFAF gives USDA hardiness zones 3–7. It suits rock gardens, native meadows, and low-water plantings. Plants grown from seed need care through their first dormant spell. Too much water can cause rot. Yet seedlings can also die if they dry out fully. Ground squirrels, voles, and pocket gophers sometimes eat the bulbs.

People can cook or dry the bulbs, or grind them into flour. PFAF also lists cooked leaves as food. It lists raw flowers and flower buds, too. Taking leaves weakens the plant, so avoid that use. Its food entry includes ground seed. But its hazard note warns of possible acrid compounds. Raw bulbs may cause mild gut upset. The account names cooking as the safer choice. Do not gather plants from protected or sensitive sites. PFAF lists no known uses as medicine. It does not flag a risk of becoming a weed.