Common Name: Butterfly Mariposa Lily

General Information

Calochortus venustus is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of grass-like basal leaves 10 - 20cm long from an underground bulb. A flowering stem 10 - 60cm long is produced as the leaves wither[].
The plant was a traditional food of the native N. Americans and often eaten in quantity. It is grown as an ornamental, valued for its attractive flowers.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

South-western N. America - California

Habitat

Light sandy soil, often decomposed granite; at elevations below 2,400 metres[, ]. In grassland and in mixed evergreen forests[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Calochortus venustus is native to semi-arid climates in western N. America, growing in freely draining soils. Whilst being very cold hardy, it can be a rather difficult plant to cultivate in moister temperate climates, being very intolerant of wetness especially when dormant.
Requires a deep very well-drained fertile sandy soil in a sunny position and must be kept rather dry from when the bulb flowers until late winter[, , ]. It should not be crowded by other plants[]. In moist climates it is usually easier to grow this species in a bulb frame, though it is worth trying outdoors at the base of a south-facing wall, especially with shrubs that like these conditions[].
Bulbs can be lifted as soon as the foliage dies down in the summer and stored overwinter in a cool dry place, replanting in spring[]. Another report says that they should be replanted immediately[].
Bulbs frequently divide after flowering, the bulblets taking 2 years to reach flowering size[].
When grown in cultivation, hand pollination is usually necessary if seed is required[].

Edible Uses

Bulb - cooked[, , ]. A sweet flavour[]. Much relished by the native N. Americans who would harvest and eat it in quantity[]. Traditionally, the bulbs were roasted in ashes, boiled or baked in an earth oven[]. The bulbs were often rubbed across an open-twined basket in order to remove the outer skin[]. The bulb does not store well and so was usually eaten within a few days of harvest[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow as soon as ripe or early spring in a cold frame in a very sharply draining medium. Stratification may be helpful for spring-sown seed, though this species usually germinates within two months without any treatment[]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 6 months at 15°c[]. Leave the seedlings undisturbed for their first two years growth[], but give them an occasional liquid feed to ensure they do not become nutrient deficient. It is quite difficult to get the seedlings through their first period of dormancy since it is all too easy either to dry them out completely or keep them too moist when they will rot[]. After their second year of growth, pot up the dormant bulbs in late summer and grow them on for at least another 2 years in the greenhouse before trying them outside. Seedlings take about 5 - 7 years to come into flower[].
Division of the bulbs as soon as the foliage dies down. One report says that the bulbs must be planted into their permanent positions immediately[], whilst another says that they can be stored overwinter and replanted in the spring[].
Stem bulbils, harvested from the stems after flowering. Can be stored cool and dry then planted in pots in the cold frame in the spring.