Calochortus nuttallii are around 15–45 cm in height and have linear leaves. Plants have 1 to 4 flowers, each with 3 white petals which are tinged with lilac and have a purplish band radiating from the yellow base. A yellow petaled form with deep purple bands is known from Petrified Forest National Park. The yellow petaled form was also observed in a "super bloom" near the Orange Cliffs District of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, on the north side of the Colorado River near Hite, Utah in May 2019. The plant blooms in early summer, with flowers that can be up to 3 inches across.
Taxonomy
Calochortus nuttallii is a species within the genusCalochortus, in a sub-group generally referred to as Mariposa Lilies. The specific epithetnuttallii, named for the English botanist and zoologist, Thomas Nuttall, was ascribed to the species by the American botanists John Torrey and Asa Gray when it was officially described in 1857. ;former varieties A number of former varieties of Calochortus nuttallii have been reclassified as distinct species:
Calochortus nuttallii var. aureusOwnbey is currently Calochortus aureus S.Watson
Calochortus nuttallii var. australisMunz is currently Calochortus invenustus Greene
Calochortus nuttallii var. bruneaunis Ownbey is currently Calochortus bruneaunsis A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr.
Calochortus nuttallii var. leichtliniiSmiley is currently Calochortus leichtlinii Hook.f.
Calochortus nuttallii var. panamintensis Ownbey is currently Calochortus panamintensis Reveal
Calochortus nuttallii var. subalpinus M.E.Jones is currently Calochortus leichtlinii Hook.f
Uses
Culinary
had culinary uses for the bulbs, seeds, and flowers of the plant. Bulbs were roasted, boiled, or made into a porridge by the Hopi, Havasupai, Navajo, Southern Paiute, Gosiute, and Ute peoples. The Hopi used the yellow flower ceremonially. They taught the Mormon pioneer immigrants to use the bulb for badly needed food. This resulted in the sego lily being formally designated as the Utah State Flower in 1911.
Cultivation
Calochortus nuttallii is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its attractive tulip-shaped flowers and to attract/support native pollinator species. It prefers a deep, sandy soil with good drainage, and is cold-hardy. Plants can be propagated from newly formed bulblets which take two years to flower.
