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Calochortus gunnisonii - S.Watson.

Common Name Mariposa Lily, Gunnison's mariposa lily
Family Calochortaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Grassy hillsides and open coniferous woods[60]. Found in a variety of habitats from moist meadows and open woods to sandy and rocky hillsides and dry gulches between 1,200 and 3,300 metres[214].
Range South-western N. America - Rocky Mountains.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Calochortus gunnisonii Mariposa Lily, Gunnison


R.A. Howard @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Calochortus gunnisonii Mariposa Lily, Gunnison
W.L. Wagner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Calochortus gunnisonii 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 June to July. 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

Plant Habitats

 East Wall. By. South Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Root  Seed
Edible Uses:

Bulb - raw or cooked[46, 105, 161]. One report says that the raw bulb tastes like a raw new potato[183]. It has a crisp nut-like texture and a pleasant flavour when cooked[85, 183]. The bulb can be dried and ground into a powder for making a sweet porridge, mush etc[85, 183, 257]. Leaves - cooked. It is hard to obtain a sufficient quantity[85] and use of the leaves will weaken the bulbs. Seed - ground into a powder[85, 183]. Flower buds - raw. Added to salads[85, 183].

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.
Antirheumatic  Miscellany

An infusion of the plant has been taken internally to treat rheumatic swellings and to ease the delivery of the placenta[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Miscellany

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 from mid summer to late autumn[1, 60, 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[1, 42]. 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 the spring[138]. The bulbs must be replanted immediately according to another report[1]. Bulbs frequently divide after flowering, the bulblets taking 2 years to reach flowering size[200]. This species is closely related to C. ambiguus[214]. Hand pollination is necessary if seed is required[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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. The bulbs can be planted straight out into their permanent positions but in areas with wet winters it might be best to store them overwinter and replant them in the spring. Stem bulbils, harvested from the stems after flowering. 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 (Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, 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 aureusMariposa Lily, Golden mariposa lilyBulb0.3 3-7  LMNDM20 
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 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

60200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Beatriz Moisset   Fri Oct 27 2006

I read that: "Hand pollination is necessary if seed is required", but there must be some pollinators. Any idea what they are, is there a chance that some are going extinct?

Ken Fern, PFAF   Sat Oct 28 2006

The database entry for this plant (and for the other members of the genus)will be updated soon to explain that the need for hand pollination refers to plants grown in cultivation. It probably only applies to plants growing in moister regions than the plants native habitat. In the wild, the plant is insect pollinated.

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Subject : Calochortus gunnisonii  
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