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.

STENANTHIUM

Perennial; bulbs small
Stem ± scapose, simple or branched
Leaves mostly basal, grass-like; cauline leaves 1–2, bract-like
Inflorescence: raceme or panicle
Flower nodding, sometimes unisexual; perianth parts 6, petal-like, fused below; stamens 6, attached to perianth, filaments wider at base, anthers 1-chambered; ovary partly inferior (at very base), ovoid, chambers 3, styles 3
Fruit: capsule, beaked by 3 persistent styles, septicidal
Seeds oblong, coat loose, winged at both ends
Species in genus: 5 species: North America, Asia
Etymology: (Greek: narrow flower)

Native

S. occidentale A. Gray

Bulb 2–4 cm
Stem 20–50 cm
Leaves 10–30 cm, 3–15 mm wide
Inflorescence 10–20 cm; bracts linear-lanceolate, scarious; pedicels 5–30 mm, ascending
Flower nodding, 1–2 cm, bell-shaped; perianth parts oblong-lanceolate, pale greenish yellow to purplish
Fruit 15–20 mm (including persistent styles)
Seed ± 3 mm
Chromosomes: n=8
Ecology: Moist banks, thickets, meadows
Elevation: 1500–1900 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges
Distribution outside California: to w Canada, Montana
Horticultural information: SHD, WET or IRR, DRN: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17; DFCLT.