LILIACEAE

LILY FAMILY

Dale W. McNeal, except as specified

Perennial to trees, from membranous bulb, fibrous corm, scaly rhizome, or erect caudex
Stem generally underground
Leaves generally basal, often withering early, alternate, generally ± linear
Inflorescence various, generally bracted
Flower generally bisexual, generally radial; perianth often showy, segments generally 6 in two petal-like whorls (outer sometimes sepal-like), free or fused at base; stamens 6 (or 3 + generally 3 ± petal-like staminodes), filaments sometimes attached to perianth or fused into a tube or crown; ovary superior or inferior, chambers 3, placentas generally axile, style generally 1, stigmas generally 3
Fruit: generally capsule, loculicidal or septicidal (berry or nut)
Genera in family: ± 300 genera, 4600 species: especially ± dry temp and subtropical; many cultivated for ornamental or food; some TOXIC. Here includes genera sometimes treated in Agavaceae, Amaryllidaceae, and other families.

NOLINA

BEARGRASS

James C. Dice

Tree-like subshrubs, dioecious or some flowers bisexual
Stems thick and woody or ± underground
Leaves densely rosetted, 6–20 dm, stiff, sword-like; bases much expanded, white, fleshy
Inflorescence: panicle or raceme-like, scapose, bracted, < 4 m
Flower: perianth parts 6 in 2 petal-like whorls, ± white, < 6 mm; stamens 6, filaments slender; ovary superior, 3-chambered, style and 3 stigmas short, ovules 2 per chamber
Fruit: capsule, papery
Seeds 1–3 per fruit, ovoid
Species in genus: ± 25 species: s US, Mex
Etymology: (P.C. Nolin, 18th century French agriculturist)
Reference: [Munz & Roos 1950 Aliso 2:217–238]

Native

N. parryi S. Watson

Stem 3–21 dm, simple to several-branched aboveground (sometimes belowground)
Leaves 65–200 per rosette, 20–40 mm wide just above expanded base, generally green; base 9–23 cm, 5–17 cm wide; margins minutely serrate
Inflorescence 14–38 dm; axis 26–90 mm diam at base; bracts large, ± deltoid, papery, persistent
Seeds 3–4mm, reddish brown
Chromosomes: n=19,20
Ecology: Dry slopes and ridges
Elevation: 900–2100 m.
Bioregional distribution: s High Sierra Nevada (Kern Plateau), e San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, Desert Mountains, Sonoran Desert
Flowering time: May–Jun
Synonyms: subsp. wolfii Munz
Scattered, local. ± coastal plants from WTR (Ventura Co.) and n&w PR that are smaller throughout (except seeds) with n=19 are an undescribed sp
Horticultural information: SUN, DRN: 1, 2, 3, 7, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 &IRR: 8, 9, 11, 13.