Guide to Mono Lake

Chlorogalum pomeridianum, the Wavy-leafed Soap Plant or California soaproot, is the most common and most widely distributed of the Soap Plants, Soaproots or Amoles, which make up the genus Chlorogalum of flowering plants. It is found in most of California, apart from the Sierra Nevadas and the deserts, and also in south-western Oregon. It is occasionally known as the "wild potato", but given the plant's lack of either resemblance or relationship to the potato, this name... less ↑

Trillium ovatum, the Western Wake Robin or Western White Trillium, is a member of the Trilliaceae family. It occurs in parts of the western United States and western Canada, usually in rich forest. In the northern part of its range, which includes southern British Columbia, extreme southwestern Alberta, Washington, Oregon and east to Montana, Wyoming and northern Colorado, it often grows under Douglas-fir. Other trees which frequently shade this trillium include grand fir, western red cedar,... less ↑

The Western Blue-eyed Grass or Californian Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium bellum, is the common blue-eyed grass of California and Oregon west of the Sierra Nevadas, its range extending south into Baja California. It grows as a perennial plant in open places where there is some moisture, particularly grassy areas, though it can also be found in woodlands and at altitudes up to 2400 metres. Like other species of blue-eyed grasses that are locally dominant, it is generally... less ↑

Dichelostemma capitatum (syn. D. pulchellum), called Blue dicks, Purplehead and Brodiaea (alternate spellings, Brodiea, Brodeia ) occur in Arizona, California, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. There are two recognized subspecies: Dichelostemma capitatum subsp. capitatum and Dichelostemma capitatum subsp. pauciflorum. less ↑

Calochortus tolmiei is a species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common names Tolmie star-tulip and pussy ears. It is native to the west coast of the United States from Washington to California, where it is a common member of the flora in several types of habitat. It is a perennial herb producing a slender stem, branched or unbranched, to 40 centimeters in maximum height. There is a basal leaf up to... less ↑

Triteleia laxa (previously Brodiaea laxa) is a triplet lily known by several common names, including Ithuriel's spear and grassnut. It is native to California where it is a common wildflower, and it is occasionally found in Oregon. It bears a tall, naked stem topped with a spray of smaller stalks, each ending in a purple or blue flower. The flower is tubular, opening into a sharply six-pointed star. The plant grows from a corm which is... less ↑

Allium triquetrum (also known as three-cornered leek, angled onion, onion weed and three-cornered garlic) is a Mediterranean plant in the family Alliaceae, but can also be found along the coasts of Oregon and California. Many parts of the plant are edible and taste somewhat like garlic or onion. The plant spreads rapidly and is locally common/invasive, particularly in disturbed areas. less ↑

Zantedeschia aethiopica (common names Lily of the Nile, Calla lily, Easter lily, Arum lily); syn. Calla aethiopica L., Richardia africana Kunth, Richardia aethiopica (L.) Spreng., Colocasia aethiopica (L.) Spreng. ex Link) is a species in the family Araceae, native to southern Africa in Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland. less ↑

Chasmanthe floribunda is a species of flowering plant in the crocus family which is known by the common name African flag. This plant is native to southern Africa, particularly South Africa, but it has been introduced to other areas of similar climate, such as California, where it is naturalized. This is a perennial sprouting from a corm and producing clumps of long, narrow leaves. It erects one thin, tall stem which may approach a meter in... less ↑

Briza maxima is a species of the genus Briza, as such it is an annual grass in the family Poaceae. It is native to Northern Africa, the Azores, Western Asia and Southern Europe and is cultivated or naturalised in the British Isles, Australasia, the west of the United States, Central and South America and Hawaii. This species has a large number of common names including Big Quaking Grass, Great Quaking Grass, Large Quaking Grass , Quaking... less ↑

Cyperus eragrostis is a species of sedge known by several common names, including tall flatsedge and pale galingale. It is a green sedge with tall, erect stems, and long, thin, pointed leaves. Its flowers are found within tough, rounded, greenish-yellow or beige spikelets. This species is originally native to the western United States but it has become naturalized across North America, Europe, and parts of South America and Australia. It can become a weed where it... less ↑

Amaryllis (pronounced /ˌæməˈrɪlÉ™s/) is a also known as the Belladonna Lily or naked ladies. The genus has two species and the more famous of the two, Amaryllis belladonna, is a native of South Africa, particularly the rocky southwest region near the Cape. It should not be confused with Hippeastrum, a flowering bulb commonly sold in the winter months for its ability to bloom indoors. less ↑

Piperia elegans is a species of orchid known by several common names, including elegant piperia, coast piperia, hillside rein orchid, and hillside bogorchid. This is a showy flowering plant native to western North America. It grows from a caudex tuber and sends up a thick stem just under a meter in maximum height. The stem is topped with a cylindrical spike inflorescence of densely packed flowers with curving white to greenish-yellow petals. Coastal individuals are noticeably... less ↑