Sand lily facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sand lily |
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The sand lily, also known as the common starlily or mountain lily, is a special plant. Its scientific name is Leucocrinum montanum. It's the only plant in its group, called a monotypic genus. This means it's one of a kind! It belongs to the Asparagaceae family, which includes plants like asparagus.
This beautiful lily is found in the western United States. You can mostly see it growing in the Rocky Mountains and the Great Basin areas.
About the Sand Lily
The sand lily is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years, coming back each spring. It grows from a deep system of thick, fleshy roots hidden underground.
What It Looks Like
The sand lily doesn't have a tall stem above the ground. It usually grows to be only about 10 cm (4 in) tall. It has bunches of long, thin leaves that grow close together at their bases.
The flowers grow in a cluster right among the leaves. They are shaped a bit like an umbrella. Each flower is white and smells sweet. It has six petal-like parts, called tepals, on top of a narrow tube that is about 2 to 3 centimeters long.
How It Reproduces
Interestingly, the sand lily produces two different kinds of pollen. These different pollen types are found in separate groups of the plants. This unique feature helps the plant reproduce and spread.
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