Anticlea vaginata

Plants 4-6 dm, from bulbs; bulbs not clumped, tunicate, narrowly ovoid, 3-6 × 1.5-3 cm. Stems with persistent leaf bases proximally. Leaves: proximal blades 25-40 cm × 5-12 mm. Inflorescences paniculate, 15-30-flowered, with 1-4 branches, 1.5-3 dm × 3-6 cm, proximal branches 7-8 cm. Flowers: perianth perigynous, rotate to rotate-campanulate, 10-15 mm diam.; tepals white, ovate, 3-6 × 3-4 mm, somewhat narrowed at base, apex broadly rounded; gland 1, obcordate, thick; pedicel ascending at anthesis, 1-1.5 cm, bracts often streaked with purple, ovate, 3-6 mm. Capsules narrowly conic, 7-8 mm. 2n = 32.

Flowering Aug. Wet sandstone ledges of canyons, 'hanging garden' community; of conservation concern; 1100--1900 m; Colo., Utah.