Calochortus macrocarpus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Liliales |
Family: | Liliaceae |
Genus: | Calochortus |
Species: | C. macrocarpus
|
Binomial name | |
Calochortus macrocarpus | |
Synonyms[1] | |
Mariposa macrocarpa (Douglas) Hoover |
Calochortus macrocarpus, also known as sagebrush mariposa lily, is a North American species of bulbous perennials in the lily family.[2][1][3]
The plant is native to the Northwestern United States (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and western Montana), northern California, northern Nevada, and a small area of southern British Columbia.[4] Habitats include the Great Basin and Cascade Range.[5]
Calochortus macrocarpus leaves are blue-green and grass-like. The bulbs are tapering, like a carrot.[4][6]
The flowers are large, one- to three-petaled, and are pink to purple. The sepals are about 2 inches long, slightly longer than the green-striped petals.[7] They bloom in June.[6]
First peoples in southern British Columbia harvested the bulbs from April to June. They can be eaten raw or cooked.[6]