Blue Dicks
Dichelostemma capitatum
Slopes of Mt. Humbolt, Maricopa Co., Arizona. 28 Feb 2013.
Leaves emerge from underground bulbs in early spring looking much like chives. Photographed in the Hedgepeth Hills, Maricopa County, Arizona. January 2008.
FLOWERS: Blue, lilac or purple flowers in a several-flowered cluster at
top of long flexible peduncle. Flowering early to mid spring.
PERENNIAL: Long-lived bulbs (corms) produce new growth and flowers year
after year in the early spring.
LEAVES: Basal leaves are 20 to 50 cm long. Smooth and succulent.
After flowering and as the fruit develop the leaves wither away not to be seen
again until the next winter rains.
RANGE: Frequent throughout the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and Mexico
mostly on rocky slopes and bajadas.
FRUIT: Dry three-valved capsule.
UNARMED.