Calochortus apiculatus

Baker

Mariposa lily

Liliaceae Edible: Bulb 2,188 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-nd

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Calochortus apiculatus is a North American species of flowering plants in the lily family.

Description

A small herb with a fleshy bulb. It grows in clumps. It grows 10-30 cm high. There is one leaf which grows at the base near the bulb and in 6-12 mm wide. It is shorter than the stem. The flowers are yellowish-white and occur as 1-4 at the end of the weak stem. Each flower has 3 broad, spreading petals. They are purple. The fruit is 3 angled and nodding. It is dry and papery with many seeds. The capsule is 2.5 cm long.

Edible Uses

The bulbs are occasionally eaten raw in salads but are usually boiled or roasted.

Traditional Uses

The bulbs are occasionally eaten raw in salads but usually boiled or roasted.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It grows on dry open slopes and rocky ridges.

Where It Grows

Canada, North America, USA,

Notes

There are about 60-100 Calochortus species. There are 7-9 species in tropical America. They have also been put in the family Calochortaceae.

References (3)

Cormack, R. G. H., 1967, Wild Flowers of Alberta. Commercial Printers Edmonton, Canada. p 31
MacKinnon, A., et al, 2009, Edible & Medicinal Plants of Canada. Lone Pine. p 198
Tozer, F., 2007, The Uses of Wild Plants. Green Man Publishing. p 50