Long-bearded Star Tulip, Peck's Mariposa
Calochortus longebarbatus var. peckii
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The
photo at right shows the broad outline of this variety of star tulip. The petals
spread broadly outward at their base before turning sharply upward at the gland
to become near vertical. Photographed in the Malheur N.F.
Long-bearded star tulip is a beautiful perennial wildflower. The scape arises 10-30 cm from a basal bulb. In addition, a small bulblet may be found at the axil of the nearly basal leaf. This leaf is 3-10 mm wide, generally shorter than the flowers, and tapering gradually towards both ends. one to three narrow bracts from 4-10 cm long are found at mid scape or above (See photo at right.).
The inflorescence consists of one to three showy, cup-shaped flowers. The sepals are 1.5-2 cm long and are broadly lanceolate to lance-ovate in shape. They are often purple-tinged or mottled. The 3 petals are 2-3 cm long, widely spreading, and cuneate-obovate in shape. Individual petals are lavender-pink with a purplish-red band above the gland. The gland is oblong, naked, and slightly to deeply depressed. A broad, fringed membrane is found below the gland while long, white curled hairs are found above the gland. The capsule is about 2 cm long, erect, broadly elliptic in shape, and strongly 3-winged.
variety longebarbatus: Plants diploid and fertile. Flowers with narrower bases. Main leaf shorter and broader, not curving inward. Plants are rare.
variety peckii: Plants triploid and sterile. Flowers with wide, broad bases (See photo at right.). Main leaf longer and narrower, arcuate-incurved. Plants are rare.
Long-bearded star tulip is found in low, moist meadows. The plants are difficult to find amongst the grasses, even when in flower.
Long-bearded star tulip (variety longebarbatus) may be found on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mts. from Yakima County, Washington south to Shasta County, California. Variety peckii may be found in the Ochoco Mts. and southern Blue Mts in central Oregon.
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