We have recently published ‘Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions’: i.e. tropical and sub-tropical regions. We rely on regular donations to keep our free database going and help fund development of this and another book we are planning on food forest plants for Mediterranean climates. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Calochortus aureus - S.Watson.

Common Name Mariposa Lily, Golden mariposa lily
Family Calochortaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry sandy--clayey places at elevations of 1200 - 2000 metres[270]. Mesas, slopes and open pine forests in Arizona.
Range South-western N. America - Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Calochortus aureus Mariposa Lily, Golden mariposa lily


G.A. Cooper @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Calochortus aureus Mariposa Lily, Golden mariposa lily
G.A. Cooper @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Calochortus aureus is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. aureus. S.Wats.

Plant Habitats

 East Wall. By. South Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Root
Edible Uses:

Bulb - raw[44, 61, 105, 161]. The bulbs are gathered in early spring and peeled before being eaten[257]. Flowers[257]. No more details are given.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a deep very well-drained fertile sandy soil in a sunny position and must be kept dry over winter[1, 200]. This is a rather difficult plant to cultivate in Britain, it is very cold hardy but is intolerant of wetness especially in the winter. It is easiest to grow in a bulb frame but is worth trying outdoors at the base of a south-facing wall, especially with shrubs that like these conditions[120]. 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[138]. Bulbs frequently divide after flowering, the bulblets taking 2 years to reach flowering size[200]. Hand pollination is necessary if seed is required[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow as soon as ripe or early spring in a cold frame in a very sharply draining medium. Stratification may be helpful. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 6 months at 15°c[138]. Leave the seedlings undisturbed for their first two years growth[138], 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[214]. 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[214]. 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[1], whilst another says that they can be stored overwinter and replanted in the spring[138]. Stem bulbils, harvested from the stems after flowering[200]. They can be stored cool and dry then planted in pots in the cold frame in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (New Mexico (northwest), Arizona (north), Utah)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Calochortus barbatus Bulb0.6 3-7  LMNDM10 
Calochortus clavatusClubhair mariposa lily, Arroyo de la Cruz mariposa lilyBulb1.0 8-10 MLMNDM10 
Calochortus elegansStar Tulip, Elegant mariposa lilyBulb0.2 3-7  LMNDM10 
Calochortus gunnisoniiMariposa Lily, Gunnison's mariposa lilyBulb0.3 3-7  LMNDM21 
Calochortus luteusYellow Mariposa, Yellow mariposa lilyBulb0.3 3-7  LMNDM20 
Calochortus macrocarpusSagebrush Mariposa Lily, Nez Perce mariposa lilyBulb0.5 3-7  LMNDM21 
Calochortus nuttalliiSego LilyBulb0.2 3-7  LMNDM20 
Calochortus pulchellusMount Diablo Globelily, Mt. diablo fairy-lanternBulb0.3 3-7  LMSNDM20 
Calochortus tolmieiTolmie StartulipBulb0.3 3-7  LMSNDM20 
Calochortus uniflorusLarge-Flowered Star Tulip, Monterey mariposa lilyBulb0.3 3-7  LMNDM10 
Calochortus venustusButterfly Mariposa LilyBulb0.6 3-7  LMNDM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

S.Watson.

Botanical References

270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Calochortus aureus  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.