Calochortus amabilis stands out against a rock and post-burn landscape
Although species of Calochortus have been featured from time to time (most recently, Calochortus leichtlinii), it’s been an omission to have never shared one of the species with nodding and globular flowers, also known as the fairy-lanterns.
Calochortus amabilis has a raft of common names, including Diogenes’ lantern, yellow globe-tulip, golden globe-tulip, yellow globe lily, and golden fairy lantern. Translating the scientific name, amabilis means “lovable” and Calochortus is Greek for “beautiful grass”. Among a genus of oft-graceful plants that he would have known well, Carl Purdy must have been particularly charmed by this one, which he scientifically named and described in 1901. The bulbs, cooked like potatoes, are also a traditional food of the indigenous peoples in this region of northern California. Wikipedia cites the word “bo” as being used by the Pomo, but it isn’t clear to me whether that is the Pomo word for the bulb (cooked or not) or the plant.
A scientific description of Calochortus amabilis is available via the Jepson eFlora, and, as usual for a species from California, many additional photographs are available from CalPhotos: Calochortus amabilis.
Lastly, on behalf of the Garden, I’d like to invite you to a virtual Tea and Talk at 12pm PDT (7pm GMT) on Sunday, April 26: The Garden of Secrets (link to Zoom registration page). I had mentioned this documentary in a recent entry as well, but with this Tea and Talk, you’ll be able to both watch the documentary and then listen to a moderated conversation with UBC Botanical Garden’s Douglas Justice and Patrick Lewis, as well as Dori Tunstall, Dean of the Faculty of Design at the Ontario College of Art and Design University:
The event will entail a screening of the film followed by a moderated conversation with leading experts in botany and design, speaking to the importance of our relationship with nature and the significance it lends to our mental and physical well-being. The discussion will also explore how we may recalibrate ourselves within our own ecosystem by learning from the world’s oldest innovators (plants!), thus contributing to the betterment of humanity and a greener future.
How beautiful and unusual looking (once I followed the links). I have never seen this, but will be thrilled if I do!
I remember these from long ago hikes in Northern California, but never in such a rugged surrounding ! They are so beautiful.
Loves me some–all!–Calochortera 😉 Found a bunch of C. albus about a year ago in my local mountains (the Cuyamacas).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/15627081@N08/48166931542/in/album-72157709351388712/
I was so excited to view the Garden of Secrets talk on Sunday and then realized the timing puts it right at the start of a previous commitment 😢😥😓 still was nice to see the fairy lanterns – thanks
Hi Cindy
If you’re interested in seeing the Garden of Secrets, a high definition copy can be found on “The Film” page at https://thegardenofsecrets.com/. You might also want to check out “The Experts” page.
All the best
If you were wondering about an entry on Wikipedia, why wouldn’t you go straight to the reference and check? Mary Elizabeth Parsons would have set you right:
“The Indians are fond of the bulbs, which they eat with great relish, calling them “bo”.”
Probably Pomo, but the reference does not actually state that.
You can read it at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/122480#page/258/mode/1up
What a gorgeous photo. The flower that made me switch from zoology to botany for my MA degree in those way long long ago long ago times…
The post is good. Now is 2022, and this seems to be the fateful last post. This has been a good series and deserving a nice party for the job well done, maybe with plenty of native plants for refreshments.
Hello Daniel and team! Will botany photo of the day be back or is it another sad casualty of the pandemic? It could be Botany picture of the week or month and my heart would be content. I hope everyone is healthy and in a good place with plants 🙂
If there’s ever time to do a full update of servers and software plus comply with all of the new regulations surrounding privacy and email subscriptions, it’ll be back…