Chocolate lily (Fritillaria affinis sp.) is a perennial lily which grows from a bulb in spring. Many people call it checker lily. Each year the plant produces bulblets which help with propagating the species. An unbranched stem usually has a few whorled leaves which are linear to lanceolate-shaped. Two to five bell-shaped flowers appear in spring. The flower has …Continue reading →
There are three native orchids on the Hawaiian islands, mostly found in higher areas in rain forests, and often in the trees. They are rare and not easy to find. There are many orchids featured in botanical gardens and show gardens from all over the world. There are two orchids, though, that have become endemic/naturalized to the islands …Continue reading →
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium sp.) is a short, stiff perennial in the iris family. Most of the ones spotted in our area are Idaho blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchrum idahoense sp.), but Mountain blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium montanum) is quite similar and may also be found in pockets in the Interior area. They grow from fibrous roots to as much as 30 cm. …Continue reading →