Sego Lily

Sego Lily
(Calochortus nuttallii)

This is the state flower of Utah. The name "Sego Lily" is from an Indian word. In other states the plant is called the Mariposa Lily (meaning "butterfly").

It blooms for only about a week each year (in late May or early June), on the dry foothills throughout the state.

The bulbs are edible, and formed an important part of the diet of early native Americans of this region. They were also used by early western settlers when other food was scarce.

The plant is named for naturalist Thomas Nuttall (1786 - 1859). The genus name Calochortus is from two Greek words meaning "beautiful grass".