Leucocrinum Nutt. ex A.Gray is a monotypic genus in the Agavoideae subfamily of Asparagaceae.
Leucocrinum montanum Nutt. ex A.Gray, or sand lily, is a perennial that grows from a deep caudex in dryish sandy soil. Six to fifteen leaves, 4-8" long, basal, grow surrounded by papery bracts. The scented flowers are white with six tepals, growing about 1.5-2" wide and 2-3" tall on long tubes. There is some variation of tepal width and length, as seen in the photos below. The pedicels and ovaries remain underground, similar to Crocus. This plant is locally common in southeastern Oregon, the northeastern corner of California, and east to Nebraska and Utah. Height range: 5-10 cm. One unique characteristic of this species is that the seeds remain underground in their pods. It is believed that ants distribute the seeds thereafter. The first photo by David Wagner was taken a few miles SW of Alturas, Modoc County, California. The next two photos by Mary Winter were taken April 30th, 2013, in Elko County, Nevada.
Photos below of a form with thin tepals by Mark Turner, taken in Canyon City, Oregon, on May 3rd, 2004.
More photos by Mark Turner of forms with wide tepals, taken in Bend, Oregon, on May 4th, 2004.
