TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993)	previous taxon | next taxon Jepson Interchange (more information)
	©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California

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.

IPHEION

STAR FLOWER

Glenn Keator

Perennial from deep, membrane-coated bulb
Leaves several, basal, unkeeled, with onion odor
Inflorescence scapose; flower solitary; bracts 2, fused at base
Flower showy; perianth tube short, lobes 6 in 2 petal-like whorls, widely spreading, ± equal; stamens 6, anthers attached at middle; ovary superior, style thread-like, stigma barely 3-lobed
Fruit: capsule
Species in genus: ± 6 species: s South America
Etymology: (Greek: origin obscure)

Introduced

I. uniflorum Raf.

Leaf < 30 cm, nearly flat, glaucous
Inflorescence < 20 cm
Flower: perianth white flushed bluish purple; perianth lobes 3–3.5 cm wide
Ecology: Uncommon. Disturbed places near gardens
Elevation: generally < 300 m.
Bioregional distribution: Southwestern California
Distribution outside California: native to Argentina
Synonyms: Brodiaea u. (Raf.) Engl
Perhaps a waif.