Calochortus tiburonensis

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Calochortus tiburonensis
C. tiburonensis growing on Ring Mountain in Marin County
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Liliales Family: Liliaceae Genus: Calochortus Species: C. tiburonensis
Binomial name
Calochortus tiburonensis A.J.Hill

Calochortus tiburonensis (also known as the Tiburon Mariposa Lily) is a rare member of the genus Calochortus in the family Liliaceae. It was first brought to the attention of science in 1971, and written up in the botanical literature in 1973. Calochortus tiburonensis is endemic to a single serpentine outcrop in California's Marin County. It grows on serpentine-derived soil atop this outcrop in grasslands from 0-200 m. on Ring Mountain. It is considered threatened due to loss of surrouding habitat to recreational activities, to competition from invasive species, to its proximity to a dense population center, and to its confinement to a single population of plants. The population grows on land owned by the Marin County Open Space District.

[edit] Morphology

Calochortus tiburonensis is a perennial growing from a bulb to 10-60 cm in height with a single leaf. It produces anywhere from 2 to 7 erect flowers annually on a branching stem. The ciliate, light yellow-green petals are streaked with purplish-brown. When mature, ovaries form capsules full of small, dark brown seeds.

[edit] Sources

• Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange. 1993 by the Regents of the University of California [Treatment from the Jepson Manual. Website: http://www.ucjebs.berkley.edu]
• USDA, NRCS. 2006. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 ([1]). Data compiled from various sources by Mark W. Skinner. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.