Sego Lily
Liliaceae
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The Basics
Taxonomy: Kingdom - Plantae (plants). Subkingdom - Tracheobionta (vascular plants). Superdivision - Spermatophyta (seed plants). Division - Magnoliphyta(Flowering plants). Class - Liliidae. Order - Liliales. Family - Liliaceae (Lily family). Genus -Calochortus Pursh Mill. Species - Calochortus nuttallii Torr. & A. Gary
Habitat: This species is found in dry, open forests.
Identification
Sego-lily (Calochortus nuttallii), The flower of the Sego Lily is white and somewhat tulip-like with a triangular cup-shaped appearance. It has 3 sepals, 3 petals, and 6 stamens, which is a characteristic composition for members of the Lily family. The base of the petals are yellow and are marked with a crescent-shaped purple band or spot. Its stems can be 8 to 20 inches high, have a few grass like leaves, and a thin-coated bulb. It blooms in late spring and early summer.
Edible value
The bulbous root of the Sego Lily was used by the Indians who frequently ground it making a bread from the starchy meal. The bulb is sweet and nutritious and is the size of a walnut. It can be eaten raw or cooked as an emergency food. It tastes like a potato when boiled. The Mormon pioneers made much use of this plant as a source of food. Bears and rodents also consume the bulbs..
Distribution
The plant is native to a number of western states including Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Species Distribution
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Citation
Silvics of North America
Burns, R.M., and B.H. Honkala. 1990. Silvics of North America (Volume 1: Conifers, Volume 2: Hardwoods). USDA Forest Service Agricultural Handbook 654.
USDA Plants Database
USDA, NRCS. 2016. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
USFS Plant Database
Habeck, R. J. 1992. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
Flora of North America
Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 19+ vols. New York and Oxford.
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
Burke Museum. 2016. Abies amabilis [Online]. University of Washington.