Leucocrinum montanum, commonly known as the sand lily, common starlily or mountain lily, is the only species in the monotypic genus Leucocrinum, placed in the family Asparagaceae, and subfamily Agavoideae. It is native to the western United States, primarily in the Rocky Mountains and the Great Basin.[1] [2] [3] [4]
This species is a perennial plant growing from a deep system of fleshy roots. It is stemless, growing no more than about 10cm (00inches) tall. It produces tufts of long, narrow leaves sheathed together at the bases. The inflorescence is an umbel-shaped cluster of flowers amidst the foliage. The fragrant flower has six white tepals atop a narrow tube 2–3 cm long. The tube extends deep underground with the large angular black seeds are formed there. The species is dimorphic in its pollen production, with two distinct pollen forms occurring in separate populations.[2]
The wildflower writer Claude A. Barr reported that when dormant plants may be safely transplanted, though the plant may fail to bloom the next year due to the loss of roots. They do require a well drained soil, but not an entirely sandy soil as their name suggests. They grow in sandy clay loam or gravelly clay that is low in organic matter.[5]
