Calochortus kennedyi | |
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Scientific classification
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Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Liliales |
Family: | Liliaceae |
Genus: | Calochortus |
Species: | C. kennedyi
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Binomial name | |
Calochortus kennedyi
Porter, 1877
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Synonyms [1] | |
Calochortus speciosus M.E.Jones |
Calochortus kennedyi is a North American species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common name desert mariposa lily. [2] [3]
It is native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States ( Arizona, southern California, southern Nevada, southern Utah and western Texas), and northern Mexico ( Sonora, Chihuahua). In California it is found in the Mojave Desert and rain shadowed eastern slopes of the Transverse Ranges. [2] [4]
Species is named for plant collector William L. Kennedy. [5]
Calochortus kennedyi is a perennial herb which produces a slender, unbranching, sometimes twisting stem up to 50 centimeters tall, but generally shorter. There is a basal leaf 10 to 20 centimeters long which is waxy in texture and withers at flowering. [4]
The inflorescence consists of 1 to 6 erect bell-shaped flowers in a loose cluster. Each flower has three sepals and three petals which are usually spotted at the bases. The petals may be 5 centimeters long and are yellow, orange, or red in color. [4]
The fruit is an angled, striped capsule up to 6 centimeters in length. [4]