Liliaceae FAMILY

Calochortus luteus

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Calochortus luteus is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of grass-like basal leaves 10 - 20cm long from an underground bulb. A flowering stem 20 - 50cm long, with bulbils at the base, is produced as the leaves wither[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. , 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. 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.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouth-western N. America - California

HabitatHeavy soils in grasslands, open woodlands, mixed evergreen forests; at elevations up to 700 metres[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. Also found in pine, evergreen oak and mixed woodlands[ 90 Title Bulbs Publication Author Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Publisher Pan Books Year 1989 ISBN 0-330-30253-1 Description Superbly illustrated, it gives brief details on cultivation and native habitat. ].