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Saturday, August 1, 2009

Sego Lily-Calochortus nuttallii

This striking white flower is the sego lily (Calochortus nuttallii). Although they bloom at lower elevations earlier in the summer, I saw one in bloom yesterday at about 7,400 feet.

They have three white petals, with yellow and dark red markings at the base. They are perennial and have a bulb that is considered a delicacy by some. Some of the Mormon pioneers ate the bulbs to help avoid starvation, and this flower later became the state flower of Utah.

For more information about the sego lily, click here.

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