Sego Lily
Calochortus nuttallii
- Native to:
- United States
LeavXC
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Genus:
- Calochortus
- Species:
- Calochortus nuttallii
- USDA Symbol:
- CANU3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Geophyte
- Height:
- 45 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Hummingbirds: Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, native pollinators
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Requires cold stratification and may take multiple years to flower from seed. Surface sow or barely cover as light may aid germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds were placed in a petri dish with blue blotter paper and moistened for 40 to 60 days in 2 degrees C. Other seeds were directly planted into a large flat with a soil mixture of sand, gravel and Sunshine mix #4. The flat was placed in the Upper Colorado Environmental Plant Center (UCEPC) lathhouse over winter to utilize the natural cold stratification process.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow at 10°C. * leave in pot for 2 years, keep barely moist during dormancy