#Calochortus ciscoensis

[aisling-saoirse]

Cisco Mariposa - Calochortus ciscoensis

My first opportunity documenting a rare species on this blog! The Cisco Mariposa was only known to common science in 2008 and can only be found in 2 eastern counties in Utah and Mesa County Colorado. This curious desert flower is a member of the lily family, coming up around late spring-early summer from a perennial bulb, flowers vary from white to several shades of pink.

The Calochortus genus is common throughout west, there are many minor species and regional variants, the Cisco Mariposa was found to be distinct from the Sego lily due to the presence of curled leaves at the presence of flowers and less prominent chevrons (see image 2). Since this species is new to science, little literature is written regarding the reciprocal relationships people have had with this plant.

Using the sego lily (C. nuttali) as an example, I will suggest propagating this plant is possible by separating new bulbs from the main bulb and replanting them in gravelly soil with good drainage. For the Sego Lily both indigenous peoples and settlers have a history of utilizing the bulb as a food source, I'm uncertain if the chemical makeup of the Cisco Mariposa is the same so I will research that a bit more!