Calochortus uniflorus
Hook. & Arn.
Globe lily
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Summary
Source: WikipediaCalochortus uniflorus is a species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common names Monterey mariposa lily and large-flowered star-tulip. It is native to western Oregon and to California as far south as San Luis Obispo County. It grows in moist areas, such as meadows, in coastal hills and lower-elevation mountains. Most of the populations are found in the Coast Ranges, but some occur in the Cascades and in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Calochortus uniflorus is a perennial herb producing a short, unbranching stem typically less than 5 centimeters tall. The basal leaf is up to 40 centimeters long and does not wither by flowering; there may be one or more shorter leaves higher up the stem. The inflorescence is a loose cluster of 1 to 5 upright, bell-shaped flowers. Each flower has three petals up to about 3 centimeters long and three shorter sepals beneath. The petals are white to pink and may have purple spotting near the bases. The fruit is a capsule up to 2.5 centimeters long.
Description
A bulb plant. It grows 10-20 cm high and 5-10 cm wide. The leaves are oval to sword shaped and green. The flowers are erect and mauve. They are on the end of long stems. The flowers are 5 cm across and have a purple spot at the centre of the petals. Sometimes the flowers are nodding. The flowers can be pink, purple, red, white or yellow.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Bulb - raw or cooked.
Traditional Uses
The bulbs are eaten raw or roasted.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It can stand light frosts. It grows in heavy damp soils. It can grow in full sun or light shade. The soils should be well drained.
Where It Grows
Australia, Mexico, North America*, USA,
Cultivation
Requires a deep very well-drained fertile sandy soil in a sunny position and must be kept dry over winter. This is a rather difficult plant to cultivate in Britain, it is very cold hardy but is intolerant of wetness especially in the winter. Another report says that the plant requires plenty of moisture when in growth, but very dry conditions after it has flowered. It is easiest to grow in a bulb frame but is worth trying outdoors at the base of a south-facing wall, especially with shrubs that like these conditions. The plants should not be crowded by other plants. Bulbs have succeeded in a cold frame with the cover removed from March to October. Bulbs can be lifted as soon as the foliage dies down in the summer and stored overwinter in a cool dry place, replanting in spring. Another report says that they should be replanted immediately. Bulbs frequently divide after flowering, the bulblets taking 2 years to reach flowering size. The flowers are sweetly scented. Hand pollination is necessary if seed is required.
Propagation
Seed - sow as soon as ripe or early spring in a cold frame in a very sharply draining medium. Stratification may be helpful. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 6 months at 15°c. Leave the seedlings undisturbed for their first two years growth, but give them an occasional liquid feed to ensure they do not become nutrient deficient. It is quite difficult to get the seedlings through their first period of dormancy since it is all too easy either to dry them out completely or keep them too moist when they will rot. After their second year of growth, pot up the dormant bulbs in late summer and grow them on for at least another 2 years in the greenhouse before trying them outside. Seedlings take about 5 - 7 years to come into flower. Division of the bulbs as soon as the foliage dies down. One report says that the bulbs must be planted into their permanent positions immediately, whilst another says that they can be stored overwinter and replanted in the spring. Stem bulbils, harvested from the stems after flowering. They can be stored cool and dry then planted in pots in the cold frame in the spring.
Other Uses
None known Special Uses Scented Plants
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.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Globe tulip, Monterey mariposa lily
References (5)
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 200
- Burnie, G.(Ed.), 2003, Annuals and Bulbs. The Gardener's Handbooks. Fog City Press. p 249
- Joyce, D., 1998, The Garden Plant Selector. Ryland, Peters and Small. p 283
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 165
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
