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Marcus, Joseph A.

Androstephium coeruleum

Androstephium coeruleum (Scheele) Greene

Blue Funnel-lily, Prairie Lily, Funnel-flower, Fragrant Lily

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Synonym(s): Androstephium caeruleum

USDA Symbol: ANCO9

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This attractive plant is unusual in that the leaves are much longer than the plant is tall. It grows to about 1 foot or less, but the smooth, gray-green leaves are often 12-18 inches long. The flowers have 6 tepals, which may be white, bluish, or lavender; they are partly joined to form a tube. The flower has a pleasant, spicy fragrance. This is an early spring flower.

From the Image Gallery

7 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: To about 1 foot in height.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple , Violet
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Tepals typically baby blue or lavender in color; sometimes white.

Distribution

USA: KS , OK , TX

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Androstephium coeruleum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Androstephium coeruleum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Androstephium coeruleum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-10
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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