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Sego Lily Wikimedia Commons
Liliaceae

Sego Lily

Calochortus nuttallii

Peace and sacrifice.

Family
Liliaceae
Genus
Calochortus
Native to
Western United States, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
bulb
Height
0.5-1.5 ft
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
sandy, dry, well-drained
Water
low
Hardiness
4-9
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The sego lily is the state flower of Utah, adopted in 1911 in honor of its role feeding early Mormon pioneers.
  • During the 1848 pioneer winter, Mormon settlers survived by boiling and eating sego lily bulbs when food was scarce.
  • The Paiute and Ute peoples taught the settlers how to prepare the bulbs, which saved many lives.
  • Each delicate flower has three petals marked with a crescent-shaped nectar gland at the base, guiding pollinators.
  • The genus name Calochortus comes from the Greek for 'beautiful grass,' referring to the grass-like leaves.

Color meanings

0

peace

1

sacrifice

2

state pride

Uses

  • ornamental
  • historical food source
  • state emblem