Is there a sego lily?
The Sego Lily, scientifically known as Calochortus nutallii, is the most widespread species within the Calochortus genus. This species was named after Thomas Nuttall, a naturalist who collected the Sego Lily in 1811 on a trip along the upper Missouri River. The Sego Lily is quite captivating when it is in bloom. Sego lily is a perennial native forb that grows 10-20 inches high. It grows from a small egg- shaped bulb, 3/8 to 1 inch in diameter, with a membranous coat. The stem is slender, usually unbranched, and bears 2 to 4 simple, linear, narrow leaves, 7-10 inches long.
Is sego lily edible?
Sego lily is the state flower of utah. The bulbs are edible. In 1911, the utah state legislature named the sego lily utah‘s state flower due to its role in saving the lives of many early utah mormon pioneers who relied on it as their main source of nutrition.
Is a sego lily poisonous?
Sego lily bulbs are edible, either raw or cooked, and were used as food by the Cheyenne. The sweet-tasting bulbs were often dried for later use. Flowers and flower buds – raw. A tasty addition to the salad bowl[183]. Edible Uses & Rating: The bulbs are edible and were a significant traditional food for Native Americans and later for Mormon pioneers. The seeds are also edible but have a harsh, bitter taste that limits their value.
How to grow a sego lily?
Sego Lily flourishes best in conditions that mimic its native habitat. Primarily, it requires well-draining soil and full sun exposure to thrive. A special care point for sego Lily includes ensuring it has a dry, dormant period after flowering, so avoid overwatering during this time. Habitat: Sego lily is found in brushy or grassy slopes in dry areas, typically within open sagebrush country and open ponderosa pine or pinyon-juniper forests. Its elevation range is from 2,300 to 10,000 ft above sea level. Sego lily is adapted to dry, well-drained soils.