Recent spring rains have given us the opportunity to enjoy a spectacular array of June wildflowers. We have a number of flower seasons through our summer months. One of the most spectacular flowers this time of year is the calypso orchid, hiding under trees in mossy areas. Calypsos require the right fungus in the soil, and I go back to the same places to see them this time of year. 

We have the bright yellow arrowleaf balsamroot sunflowers blooming profusely in our lower-elevation sagebrush areas. And, in those same areas, an annual treat of the magnificent and large mariposa lilies will be blooming. They are easy to see from a distance because of their size and bright white to purplish color. 

Beautiful lilies blooming in Summit right now have the lily identifier of parallel veins, and three or six petals, but otherwise some very different appearances. The twisted-stalk lily — Streptopus amplexifolius — has many small six-petaled, bell-shaped flowers hanging under each leaf, on a long slender stalk that has a twisting look to it. This lily is prolific in our wetlands and streambanks. 

The Alp lily — Lloydia serotina — is likely to be coming out in a few weeks. They are found far above timberline among the moss campion and other tundra plants. This tiny, six-petaled white flower is only 1-3 inches tall, so it is easy to miss, and a fabulous treasure to find while up at high elevations. Alp lilies are found all over Western North America in the high elevations of the tundra. 

The gigantic corn lily – Veratrum californicum — also known as false hellebore or skunk cabbage, is growing taller, and will bloom in the next few weeks. When mature, it is commonly 6-7 feet tall in wet places at lower elevations. It will have pretty six-petaled flowers and parallel veins. Corn lilies are poisonous to humans and animals.

Our mariposa lily — Calochortus gunnisonii — is in the genus, Calochortus, which includes about 40 species of tulip-like species of the Liliacea family native to western North America. All the Mariposas or Calochortus are tall lilies with large bowl-shaped flowers, that can be 3 inches across. The leaves have parallel veins, and most commonly have edible bulbous roots. The bulbs of all of the Mariposas and certain other lilies are considered edible eaten raw or cooked, and taste something like a potato — just add some salt. 

However, there are always exceptions. One is the death camas that, yes, will cause death. I have seen the fascinating death camas lily blooming this spring. It is a pretty white lily, with six white petals and grassy-looking leaves. I have not seen the blue camas in Colorado, but it is common in surrounding states, including Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. There, the blue camas grows in large numbers with the death camas. Like most lilies, the bulb of the blue camas is edible, reportedly tasting like a sweet potato, and was used by Indigenous people for thousands of years. They knew to identify the blue camas by the blue petals (not white) before harvesting. 

Again, the similarly appearing white-flowering death camas, like the name states, is deadly, as its current scientific name Toxicoscordion venenosum describes. All parts of the death camas are poisonous: leaves, flowers and bulbs. As is the case anytime when foraging, seek expert, trusted advice before consuming — or allowing others or your pets — to consume.

This season is an exciting time to view our native plants. They are unique and beautiful blooming in our natural environments, and each has a fascinating history.

“Get Wild” publishes weekly in the Summit Daily News. Karn Stiegelmeier is a volunteer wilderness ranger for the Eagle Summit Wilderness Alliance, an all-volunteer nonprofit that helps the U.S. Forest Service protect and preserve the wilderness areas in Eagle and Summit counties. For more information, visit Wild4ESWA.org