Hesperocallis

Hesperocallis is a genus of flowering plants that includes a single species, Hesperocallis undulata, known as the desert lily or ajo lily. ==Description== Plants grow from an ovoid bulb with 2-3 leaves. Plants have ruffled edge leaves that are linear lanceolate 20-40 x 1-1.5 cm. Bracts are ovate1-1.5 cm long. Pedicils are 1 cm long. Flowers form on a 10-30 long inflorescence with many flowers. Flowers are white funnel shaped, with a blue green or silver gray band in the middle of the back of the petals. The seed capsules is 1.5 cm long and rigid. Seeds are 0.5 cm long. ==Distribution== It is found growing in sand flats and dunes in the desert areas of southwestern North America, in Baja California and Sonora, Northwestern Mexico; California, Nevada, and Arizona. The plant grows in Mojave Desert, Colorado Desert, and Sonoran Desert habitats.The bulbs grow up to 60 cm below the surface of the soil. This species is pollinated by sphinx moth. Plants bloom from February to May.

File:Desert Lily Preserve Calif.jpg|BLM Desert Lily Preserve near Desert Center, California File:Desert lily, Hesperocallis undulata (15052242654).jpg|H. undulata growing in Vallecito Mountains, elevation