Scientific Family
Liliaceae
Synonyms
Brodiaea lemmoniae, Triteleia lemmonae
Other common names
Oak Creek triteleia
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Allium spp.
Height
To 12 inches
Riparian
No
Corms (onion-like) fibrous-coated; leaves 1 or 2, basal, narrow, 5 to 15 inches long, to 1/8 inch wide, flat, often revolute (rolled backward), not hairy; clusters of yellow to orange flowers on stems to 12 inches tall, smooth, rough towards the base.
Onion-like, but no smell; leaves narrow, margins rolled downward, smaller up the stem; flowers shallowly bowl-shaped, sepals, petals bright yellow to orange, fade to purple; stamen length equal or nearly so, attach at same level of flower tubes.
Habitat
Partially shaded sites, pine forests, montane habitats. Known only in Arizona.
Plant Community
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
5000
High elevation
7500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers clustered at the end of stems, l, shallowly bowl-shaped; tepals (petals and sepals) narrowly lance-shaped, ascending to slightly spreading; stamens mostly protruding from the flowers; bracts purplish, petals longer than the tube.
Flower color
Yellow to orange fading to purplish
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Narrow, 5 to 15 inches long, to 1/8 inch wide, flat, often revolute (rolled backward), not hairy.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsule, egg-shaped, short-stalked.
Fruit type
Capsule
Seeds nearly round, black.