Hesperocallis is a monotypic genus in the Liliaceae family. It is an erect perennial with onion odor from deep seated, trunicated bulbs, with glaucous leaves and straight stout stems. The sole species is found in sandy flats of cresote brush desert scrub in some of the most arid regions of North America (deserts of southeastern California, Baja California and Sonora, Mexico, and southwesten Arizona), flowering only after infrequent rains. Flowers are large, white with a silver or green midstripe and are fragrant. Because this "Desert Lily" is very beautiful, people want to grow it and it does seem to be easy to germinate seed in late winter. Growing it on to blooming size seems another matter. It is important to keep the seedlings in growth and not allow them to go dormant. Even then no one on our list has announced success it getting plants to bloom yet.
Hesperocallis undulata "I took while we were going through the desert in late January. It was early, but the bloom was just beginning in places. These pictures were taken in the scenic area between Salton Sea and Borrego Springs, probably less than 10 miles west of the Salton Sea". Photos by Jamie Boothe
The following photos were taken by John Longanecker April 1, 2005 near Baker in the Mojave Desert preserve and near 29 Palms, CA. Note the variation in the grey streak on the petals.
Return to the PBS wiki Photographs And Information page