TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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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-like, scaly rhizomes (called bulbs), generally not clonal, ± glabrous
Stem erect
Leaves ± whorled (often some scattered), sessile, generally ± elliptic; veins generally 3; stipule 0
Inflorescence: flowers axillary, 140+; bracts generally 2 per flower
Flower generally radial, generally bell- or trumpet-shaped; perianth segments 6 in 2 petal-like whorls, outer generally ± clawed, generally red-purple-spotted on inner base; stamens 6, anthers attached near middle (measures are after dehiscence); style 1, stigma 3-lobed
Fruit: capsule, erect, generally ± smooth, loculicidal
Seeds many, flat, in 6 stacks
Species in genus: ± 90 species: n temp, tropical mtns of e Asia
Etymology: (Greek: lily)
Reference: [Skinner 1988 PhD Harvard Univ]
Variable; hybridization common. Many species declining from habitat destruction and collecting; few thrive in gardens. Generally flowers May to Aug.
Native |
Plant < 2.5 m; bulb horizontal, rhizome-like, unbranched, longest scales 12.5 cm, 12(3)-segmented
Leaves in 19 whorls (rarely scattered), 419 cm, sometimes ± linear; margin not wavy
Inflorescence: flowers 135, pendent
Flower ± widely bell-shaped, not fragrant; perianth segments 48 cm, 60% strongly recurved, ± oblanceolate or narrowly elliptic, ± 2-toned, inner surface red to maroon (rarely orange) on distal 5060%, base yellow to green, sometimes with an intervening band of orange or yellow, strongly green outside on basal 4050%; stamens >> perianth, filaments ± parallel, anthers 514 mm, dull red or magenta, pollen generally red-brown (± orange); pistil 35 cm
Fruit 25 cm
Chromosomes: 2n=24
Ecology: Coastal scrub or prairie, gaps in coniferous forest
Elevation: < 100 m.
Bioregional distribution: n North Coast (Humboldt Bay, Humboldt Co.)
Distribution outside California: sw Oregon
Description is of CA plants. Central "green star" of ± all new flowers ages yellow or yellow-orange
Horticultural information: In cultivation.