Inyo County Star-Tulip
(Calochortus excavatus )
Liliaceae

Photo Copyright Gerald and Buff Corsi California Academy of Sciences

Description: Perennial, bulbiferous herb, with slender stems 4-12 inches (1-3dm) long. Basal leaves are linear, 4-8 inches (1-2dm) long. Inflorescence is umbel-like with 1-6 bell-shaped flowers. Flowers have spear-shaped sepals, 3/4 - 1 1/8 inches (2-3cm) long, and white petals with a dark purple base, and green stripes outside, 1 1/8 - 1 1/2 inches (3-4cm) long. The nectaries are round and depressed. Fruit are narrow, spear-shaped capsules, with yellowish seeds.

Distribution: Inyo and Mono Counties, California.  Type locality: Bishop Creek, Inyo County, CA

Habitat: Grassy meadows in shadscale scrub. Elevation 3680 - 6400 feet.

Flowering Period: Blooms April - July.

Similar Plants:

Status: BLM Sensitive, California Native Plant Society List 1B