Mariposa lily
Calochortus apiculatus
Family: Liliaceae
What it is like
A small herb with a fleshy bulb. It grows in clumps. It grows 10-30 cm high. There is one leaf which grows at the base near the bulb and in 6-12 mm wide. It is shorter than the stem. The flowers are yellowish-white and occur as 1-4 at the end of the weak stem. Each flower has 3 broad, spreading petals. They are purple. The fruit is 3 angled and nodding. It is dry and papery with many seeds. The capsule is 2.5 cm long.
There are about 60-100 Calochortus species. There are 7-9 species in tropical America. They have also been put in the family Calochortaceae.
Where it is found
It grows on dry open slopes and rocky ridges.
Countries/locations it is found in
Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The bulbs are occasionally eaten raw in salads but usually boiled or roasted.
Edible parts
Bulb