California fawn lily facts for kids
Quick facts for kids California fawn lily |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Erythronium
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| Species: |
californicum
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The California fawn lily (Erythronium californicum) is a beautiful wild flower. It belongs to the lily family and grows naturally only in the mountains of Northern California. You can find it in damp, wooded areas. This plant is special because it is endemic to this region, meaning it grows nowhere else in the world!
What Does the California Fawn Lily Look Like?
This plant is a type of herbaceous perennial. This means it's a plant that doesn't have a woody stem and lives for more than two years. It grows from a pointed bulb, which is like a small onion, about 3 to 6 centimeters (1 to 2.5 inches) wide.
Leaves and Stems
The California fawn lily usually has two leaves that grow from its base. These leaves are sometimes spotted with brown, which makes them look interesting. Its reddish-green stems can grow up to 30 centimeters (about 1 foot) tall.
Flowers
In the spring, each stem usually has one to three flowers that hang downwards. They have a light, pleasant smell. The flower has yellowish-white tepals. Tepals are like petals and sepals combined. These tepals are about 2 to 4 centimeters (0.8 to 1.6 inches) long. Sometimes, they have red or brown stripes or bands near their base.
The inside parts of the flower, like the stamens (which make pollen), anthers (the tips of the stamens), and the stigma (which receives pollen), are all whitish in color.
Special Varieties
Some special types of California fawn lily are very popular in gardens. Two of these, called 'Brocklamont Inheritance' and 'White Beauty', have won an important prize. This prize is the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It means they are excellent plants for gardens!
