Species Detail Forb

Plant		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Calochortus gunnisonii - Gunnison's mariposa lily Other Common Names: little desert trumpet, skeleton weed, yellow trumpet Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Liliaceae
Plant


Home	Plant Communities	Plant List	Search Forbs and Subshrubs	Search Grasses	Search Woody Plants	Additional Resources	About this Website

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native Life Cycle: Perennial Similar Species: Varieties: C. gunnisonii var. perpulcher, C. gunnisonii var gunnisonii
General Desc: Tall slender plants growing from underground bulbs produce tulip-like flowers and grass-like leaves that wither at the base; 1 to 3 flowers.
Identification notes: Plants usually bulbous; basal leaves withered at flowering; stems erect usually not branched; white to purple petals, arched purple bands above purple blotches, densely bearded glands on narrower petal bases; capsules narrow; anthers not arrow-shaped.
Height: 8 to 10 inches

Habitat

Habitat Description: Foothills, montane, subalpine, high meadows.
Plant Communities: Montane Conifer Forest
Elevation: 6500 - 8000 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: White to purple Shape: Regular not in clusters Tubular: Y Flowering Period: Jun - Aug
Description: Tulip-like flower with 3 petals and 3 sepals. Petals have yellowish glands, a purple blotch and a purple band across them. The gland areas are densely bearded often with branched, enlarged hairs. Petals greenish on undersides and narrow at their bases.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green Leaf Type: Other Leaf Shape: Narrow Leaf Margin: Smooth Leaf Attachment: Basal Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: No Spines: N
Leaf Description: Leaves: basal withering at flowering. Narrow flat or rolled-inward mostly short, grass-like leaves, 1/16 inch wide or less; slender stems, generally not branched, about 8 to 10 inches tall.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Pale yellow
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: 3 angled capsules with 3 compartments.
Seed Notes: Flat.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer