Yellow mariposa, Butterfly tulip
Calochortus luteus
Family: Liliaceae
What it is like
A bulb plant. It grows 20-50 cm high and spreads 15 cm wide. The leaves are sword shaped at the base. The flowers are open and bell shaped. They are on slender stems. The flowers are yellow and 8 cm wide. There is usually a brown spot at the base of each petal. The nectar gland is crescent shaped.
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 is a temperate plant. It grows best in light to medium well-drained soils. It suits an open sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, Tasmania, USA
How it is used for food
The bulbs are eaten raw or cooked.
Edible parts
Root, bulb
How it is grown
It is grown by division of the plant in winter.
Its other names
Local names
Gold nuggets, Sego lily