Scientific Family
Liliaceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2 to 5 inches
Riparian
No
Stems with 2 leaves, leaves parting from the stem at the base, leaves persistent, not withering at flowering time. The spherical inflorescence contains between 10 and 25 flowers. Outer coat of bulbs is brown and has a network of fibers.
Flowering stems short; flower segments pink. Leaf blade flat or channeled to almost round in cross-section. Outer coat of the bulbs consist of a prominent fibrous network, that can be seen under a hand lens.
Habitat
Open, dry rocky soil in grassland, open chaparral, and desert scrub communities.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1500
High elevation
5000
Flower Characteristics
Pink or white flowers with red tips and a pink (not purple) midrib. Flowering stems are short, 2 to 4 inches tall. Round flower clusters are loose or compact with 10 to 25 flowers.
Flower color
Pink to white
Flower shape
Bell-shaped
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
2 leaves, often longer than the flowering stalk. Leaf blades are less than 1/4 inch wide, flat or involute (margins rolled inward toward the upper side).
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit type
Capsule
Shiny and small.