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Calochortus nuttallii (Sego lily)
Bransford, W.D. Mrs.

Calochortus nuttallii Torr. & Gray

Sego lily, Mariposa lily, Sego-lily

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

USDA Symbol: CANU3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Growing 10-20 in. high, from an onion-like bulb, this perennial’s erect, slender stem is usually unbranched and bears 2-4 linear leaves, 7-10 in. long. One to three very showy, white to lavender-blue, tulip-like flowers are borne atop the stem in an umbel-like cluster. The flowers have three large petals with yellow bases and three narrower sepals.

Occasionally petals are magenta or tinged with lilac. This is Utahs state flower; the Ute Indians called it sago, and taught Mormon settlers to eat the bulbs in times of scarcity.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AZ , CO , ID , MT , NE , NV , NM , ND , SD , UT , WY
Native Distribution: NM to the Dakotas, w. to ID & CA
Native Habitat: Dry, brushy or grassy slopes; desert high country
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: All Calochortus spp. are extremely difficult in cultivation. Flowering bulbs must be raised from seed for any success and bulbs must be kept completely dry from mid-summer to late fall. Bulbs will need protection from gophers and moles.

Propagation

Description: Plant seed in late autumn in pots, flats or outdoor seed beds. Corms reach maturity in 3-5 years.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
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Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

Recommended Species Lists

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Calochortus nuttallii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Calochortus nuttallii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Calochortus nuttallii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-10-02
Research By: TWC Staff

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