In the APG III system, adopted here, Hesperocallis is placed in the familyAsparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae, since recent molecular systematic studies (Pires et al. 2004) have confirmed a close relationship with Agave.[1] Other classifications have included the species in its own family, Hemerocallidaceae, or placed it in the Hostaceae (Funkiaceae); both families are submerged into the Agavoideae in the APG III system.[2] As with many of the 'lilioid monocots', prior to the use of molecular evidence in classification, it was placed in the Liliaceae.
Uses
The bulbs of the desert lily are eaten by native peoples.[3]
^Chase, M.W.; Reveal, J.L. & Fay, M.F. (2009), "A subfamilial classification for the expanded asparagalean families Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae", Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 161 (2): 132–136, doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00999.x
^"American Indian Ethnobotany Database: Hesperocallis undulata". Archived from the original on 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
Pires, J. C., I. J. Maureira, J. P. Rebman, G. A. Salazar, L. I. Cabrera, M. F. Fay, and M. W. Chase. 2004. Molecular data confirm the phylogenetic placement of the enigmatic Hesperocallis (Hesperocallidaceae) with Agave. Madroño 51: 307–311.
NCBI Taxonomy Browser
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hesperocallis undulata.
CalFlora Database: Hesperocallis undulata
genus and USDA Plants Profile of Hesperocallis undulata
Hesperocallis in the Flora of North America (treated as a member of the family Liliaceae); Distribution Map