bio.wikisort.org - Plant

Calochortus excavatus is a species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common name Inyo County star-tulip.[3][4]

Calochortus excavatus
Conservation status
Imperiled  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Liliales
Family:	Liliaceae
Genus:	Calochortus
Species:	C. excavatus
Binomial name
Calochortus excavatus Greene
Synonyms[2]
Calochortus campestris Davidson

Distribution

The flowering plant is endemic to eastern California, where it is known from several reduced and threatened populations in Mono and Inyo Counties.[5] It occupies grassy habitats in alkaline Shadscale scrub plant communities, alongside Atriplex and other playa halophyte flora, primarily in Owens Valley.[4]

The species is listed as endangered, threatened by the loss of local groundwater.[6]

Description

Calochortus excavatus is a perennial bulb, growing a slender unbranched stem to about 30 centimetres (12 in) in maximum height.[3]

The inflorescence bears 1 to 6 erect bell-shaped flowers in a close cluster. Each flower has three sepals which lack spotting, and three white petals. The petals may have green striping on their outer surfaces and generally have a red-purple blotch at the base. The anthers are reddish to purple.[3][7]

See also

• Endemic flora of California
• Natural history of Inyo County, California
• Shadscale scrub plant community
• Saltbush scrub plant community

References

External links

• USDA Plants Profile of Calochortus excavatus (Inyo County star-tulip)
• Calochortus excavatus — Calphotos Photo gallery, University of California
• California Native Plant Society, Bristlecone Chaper, Calochortus excavatus, “Inyo County Star-tulip” photo and range iniformation

---