SEGO LILY
(Calochortus nuttallii - Lily Family)
EDIBLE - see below
History:
"Calochortus" comes from "kalo" meaning beautiful and "chortos" for grass. The species name "nuttallii" was named for Thomas Nuttall, a self-taught naturalist. The Sego Lily is the state flower of Utah.
Description:
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.
Habitat:
This species is found in dry, open forests.
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.
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