[Sidenote: =Allium sibericum= L. _Northern Garlic._]
Stem 1—2 feet high from a narrowly ovoid bulb, with a single,
elongated, round, hollow, basal leaf and 1 or 2 similar leaves on the
stem. Flowers numerous in a compact round head; the sepals and petals
about ½ an inch long, slender, with a tapering tip, bright rose-purple
with a darker mid-vein; stamens much shorter than the perianth segments.
Not infrequent in moist open places throughout the Rockies; flowering
in July.
[Sidenote: =Lilium montanum.= A. Nelson. _Mountain-Lily._]
Stem 12—18 inches high, rather stout, from a depressed globose bulb an
inch in diameter. Leaves alternate except the uppermost which are in a
whorl of 5—7, dark green above, paler beneath, minutely roughened on
the edges, lanceolate, tapering but slightly toward the sessile base.
Flowers erect usually one, but sometimes several, on a stem; sepals and
petals 2½ inches long, somewhat spreading, elliptic-oblong, tapering
gradually toward both ends, the base contracted into a claw, which is
less than ⅓ the length of the blade; blade reddish-orange on the inner
face, paler near the base, which is dotted with numerous purplish-black
spots; outer face less brilliant, largely suffused with green; stamens
and stigma purplish.
Frequent throughout the Rockies on the edges of woods and in the lower
river valleys; very abundant in early July in the valley of the Lower
Kicking Horse and Columbia rivers from Golden to Donald.
[Sidenote: =Erythronium grandiflorum= Pursh. _Snow Lily._]
A foot or more high from a deep-rooted, slender, membranous-coated
corm. Leaves 2 or occasionally 3, opposite or in a whorl, broadly
lanceolate, obtuse, 6—8 inches long, 2—3 inches wide, unequal, dull and
glaucous green. Flowers 1—6, nodding, bright yellow, sepals and petals
lanceolate 2 inches long, tapering to a slender, strongly reflexed tip;
stamens exserted, anthers yellow or purplish-brown.
[Illustration: Erythronium grandiflorum Pursh. (½ Nat.) Snow Lily.]
This beautiful lily is frequent on the slides and mountain slopes
throughout the region at an elevation of 5000 feet or higher, appearing
immediately after the snows have melted, and lasting but a short time.
It may be found flowering according to the elevation and condition of
the snow, from May throughout the summer. The plant has derived its
common name no doubt from its habit of blooming so close to the melting
snows. Where the plant occurs it is usually found in great numbers
during the brief flowering period.