Yellow Mission Bells

Description:

The yellow mission bell is a small plant, rarely over 8" tall. The flowers are small, usually singular, about 3/4 inch long and are pure yellow color. The plants are ephemeral, the above ground parts disappearing a few weeks after flowering. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil. It ranges from grassland and sagebrush deserts to mixed coniferous forests, also on stony mountain slopes from 400 - 2000 meters. It is found in the Western Canada and in the Rocky Mountain states to Colorado.

Habitat:

This plant was found blooming at about 7000ft, growing in the shade on a mountainside.

Notes:

Bulb is eaten raw or cooked. It can also be dried for later use. Rich in starch, it is best used in the autumn. The raw bulb tastes like potatoes, when cooked it tastes like rice. It can be eaten as a vegetable or can be added to soups etc. The green seedpods can be eaten raw or cooked, are bitter but flavorful.