TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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Jepson Interchange (more information) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY |
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.
Perennial from bulb or rhizome
Stem ± scapose
Leaves many, ± basal (reduced upward), linear, generally folded, ± curved
Inflorescence: raceme or panicle
Flower bisexual, staminate, or sterile; perianth parts 6, petal-like, free or ± fused to ovary base, white to yellowish in CA, glands 12 near base; stamens 6, free to ± attached to perianth; ovary chambers 3, styles 3
Fruit: capsule, septicidal
Seeds many
Species in genus: ± 15 species: temp North America, Asia
Etymology: (Greek: yoke-gland, from gland shape of some)
All taxa should be considered highly TOXIC to livestock (generally unpalatable) and humans from alkaloids (especially in bulbs); caused serious illness to some members of Lewis & Clark Expedition .
Native |
Bulb 1225 mm diam, widely ovate; outer coats ± brown
Stem 1570 cm, glabrous
Leaf 1040 cm, 410 mm wide, scabrous-ciliate
Inflorescence raceme-like (sometimes with basal branches), 525 cm; pedicels erect or ascending, generally 1020 mm
Flowers bisexual, 46 mm; perianth parts unequal, ± ovate, obtuse, outer 45.5 mm, generally subsessile, inner ± 4.56 mm, claw ± 1 mm, glands yellowish green; upper margin a heavy, irregular ridge; stamens = or > perianth; styles erect
Fruit 814 mm, cylindric
Chromosomes: n=11
Ecology: Moist meadows to dry rocky hillsides
Elevation: < 2600 m.
Bioregional distribution: Northwestern California, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Central Western California, Western Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, Great Basin Floristic Province, Desert Mountains
Distribution outside California: to British Columbia, c US, Arizona, n Baja California
Flowering time: Mostly MayJul
Recent taxonomic note: Toxicoscordion venenosum (S. Watson) Rydb.
Horticultural information: SUN: 4, 5, 6 &IRR: 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.