View photos of the edible plant, Calochortus splendens (Splendid mariposa lily), profiled in Wild Edible Plants of California (as Calochortus spp.).

A passage from Wild Edible Plants of California:

From the flowers and stems to the root bulbs, the whole plant is edible. The flowers and stems/leaves are eaten without killing the plant. They are pleasant and have a mild nutty flavor.

View photos of the edible plant, Calochortus flexuosus (Winding mariposa lily), profiled in the Wild Edible Series: Nevada, California, and Utah.

A passage from Wild Edible Plants of California:

The root bulbs require more effort to procure. They are often 1/2’ or more beneath the ground’s surface, so digging with a shovel will be necessary.

A passage from Wild Edible Plants of Utah:

From flower and stem to root bulb, all parts of Mariposa lily are edible. The buds, flowers, young seed pods, stems, and leaves are eaten without killing the plant.

View photos of the edible plant Calochortus nuttallii (Sego lily), profiled in the Wild Edible Series: Colorado, Montana, Nevada, South Dakota, and Utah.

A passage from Wild Edible Plants of Colorado:

Be sure the population at hand is abundant – two species in southwestern Colorado are at their range’s edge (Calochortus flexuosus and C. aureus). All species are only identifiable for 2–4 weeks when it is in flower/seed. After this window has passed, its above–ground trace is gone until next year.