Calochortus excavatus
Calochortus excavatus | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Liliales |
Family: | Liliaceae |
Genus: | Calochortus |
Species: | C. excavatus
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Binomial name | |
Calochortus excavatus | |
Synonyms[1] | |
Calochortus campestris Davidson |
Calochortus excavatus is a species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common name Inyo County star-tulip.[2][3]
Distribution[]
The flowering plant is endemic to eastern California, where it is known from several reduced and threatened populations in Mono and Inyo Counties.[4] It occupies grassy habitats in alkaline Shadscale scrub plant communities, alongside Atriplex and other playa halophyte flora, primarily in Owens Valley.[3]
The species is listed as endangered, threatened by the loss of local groundwater.[5]
Description[]
Calochortus excavatus is a perennial bulb, growing a slender unbranched stem to about 30 centimetres (12 in) in maximum height.[2]
The inflorescence bears 1 to 6 erect bell-shaped flowers in a close cluster. Each flower has three sepals which lack spotting, and three white petals. The petals may have green striping on their outer surfaces and generally have a red-purple blotch at the base. The anthers are reddish to purple.[2][6]
See also[]
- Endemic flora of California
- Natural history of Inyo County, California
- Shadscale scrub plant community
- Saltbush scrub plant community
References[]
- ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Flora of North America
- ^ Jump up to: a b Calflora taxon report, Calochortus excavatus E. Greene, Inyo County star tulip
- ^ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
- ^ California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California, Calochortus excavatus
- ^ Jepson Manual Treatment for Calochortus excavatus
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Calochortus excavatus. |
- Calochortus
- Endemic flora of California
- Flora of the California desert regions
- Flora of the Great Basin
- Natural history of Inyo County, California
- Owens Valley
- Liliales stubs