Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Dichelostemma capitatum (Benthum) Wood subsp. pauciflorum (Torrey) G. Keator
(Blue Dicks)


Family: Themidaceae, formerly Liliaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Dichelostemma pauciflorum (Torrey) Standley
Dichelostemma pulchellum (Salisbury) Heller var. pauciflorum (Torrey) Hoover
Dipterostemon pauciflorus (Torrey) Rydberg

Dichelostemma capitatum has rather inconspicuous blue flowers in umbels on tall scapes. The stamens are dimorphic. It prefers open areas at lower elevation and blooms in the spring. The leaves are linear and usually rounded or folded. Their is a nearly spherical underground bulb which is fibrous covered and outwardly resembles an onion bulb.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Dichelostemma capitatum, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Jack's Peak, Mar. 19, 2007



Dichelostemma capitatum, closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Kelly Kindscher, Scott Zager, Leith Young, & Maggie Smith, Burro Mtns., Knight Mountain, March 21, 2009



Dichelostemma capitatum, closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Engineer Canyon, March 28, 2009



Dichelostemma capitatum, growth habit (notice it has been partially grazed), photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Engineer Canyon, March 28, 2009



Dichelostemma capitatum, underground corm (bulb), photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Engineer Canyon, March 28, 2009



Dichelostemma capitatum, closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Richard Felger, Mel Moe, Leith Young, & Charles Holmes, Peloncillo Mtns. near Rodeo, March 12, 2010


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