Sometimes known as Lloydia, the alp lily is a diminutive plant that is often over-looked. It has one to several stems arising10-20 cm high from bulbs on short, thick rootstocks. The needle-like basal leaves are 4-10 cm long and about 1 mm wide. The old, withered leaf bases remain at ground level, simulating a bulb. The 3-4 short stem leaves are wider, measuring up to 2 mm wide.

The one (usual) to two flowers are found atop the scape and are usually held erect. The flowers are whitish with green or purplish veins (See photo at right.). The 6 tepals are oblong or oblanceolate in shape and are usually 9-12 mm long. The six stamens are about 1/2 to 2/3 the length of the tepals. The capsule is ovoid and from 6-8 mm long.

The alp lily is found on rocky or gravelly mountain tops, ridges and cliffs.

Alp lilies may be found in mountainous areas across much of northern North America. It is found from Alaska east to Alberta and south to the Olympic and Cascade Mts. of Washington and to Saddle Mt. (Clatsop County) in northwestern Oregon. It is found eastward through Oregon to the Rocky Mts. and south to New Mexico and Nevada. It is also found in Eurasia.

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