Triteleia lemmoniae

Common Names

Oak Creek Triteleia, Lemmon's Triteleia, Oak Creek Triplet-Lily

Summary

Oak Creek triplet-lily is a perennial herb native to Arizona, the sole representative of its genus in the state, growing from underground corms with basal leaves 10–40 cm long and 2–6 mm wide; a scape 8–30 cm tall bears a terminal inflorescence of 1–2 flowers. Flowers have perianth 9–12 mm, bright yellow to deep orange fading to purple, a turbinate tube of 2.5–3 mm, and lobes 7–9 mm (2–3× longer than the tube); stamens are exserted with 3 mm filaments and yellow anthers; seeds nearly spherical and black. It inhabits montane yellow pine belts and conifer forests at elevations 1000–3000 m and grows in partially shaded sites.

Endemic to Arizona, it occupies montane conifer forests and partially shaded pine habitats at 1000–3000 m, flowering May–August. It is a bulbous geophyte with underground corms; global status G3 and Arizona status S3; protection includes salvage restrictions and occurrences on U.S. Forest Service lands; seeds are banked at Desert Botanical Garden. Pollination is by native insects and seeds are dispersed by gravity, supporting its role in understory biodiversity and highlighting the need for habitat protection and careful management.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-12 inches

Spread

4-16 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade, tolerates full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained sandy or rocky loams.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Bloom Color

Yellow to orange to purple, fading to purple with age

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts native insects