General: Alkali Mariposa Lily (Calochortus striatus) is a perennial forb with grass-like leaves that grows from an underground bulb. Leaves to about 8 inches, narrow. Flowers grow atop stems that appear in the spring and early summer. Flowers bell-shaped, white to lavender, with purple veins.

Alkali Mariposa Lily can be found in alkali marshes and other damp places in the Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub) life zone.

Family: Lily (Liliaceae).

Other Names:

Plant Form: Leaves and flower stems grow from an underground bulb.

Height: To about 18 inches.

Stems: Short, mostly underground from bulb.

Leaves: Leaves basal, linear.

Flowers: Blooms spring to early summer. Inflorescence umbel-like with 1-5 flowers per stem. Flower bell-shaped, white to light purple with purple veins.

Seeds: Seed are produced in elongate seedpods (about 2-inches long).

Habitat: Alkaline meadows in the Mojave Desert.

Elevation: To about 5,000 feet.

Distribution: California deserts and southern Nevada (Clark and Nye counties only)

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