Hesperocallis undulata

 Hesperocallis undulata (desert lily) (lirio del desierto) 

Asparagaceae

• Our most notable geophyte is the desert lily, an unusual endemic found on sandy flats and dunes below 2.500 feet in the western and southern Mojave desert and adjacent areas of the Sonoran Desert. A good place to see this species is at the Kelso Dunes in the eastern Mojave Desert. Desert lily arises from a large bulb, with a basal rosette of bluish-green leaves, 10-20 inches in length, with a distinctive wavy margin. These rosettes are distinct all other desert geophytes. The single flowering stalk reaches anywhere from 1-6 feet in height depending on growing conditions, and beats clusters of large trumpet-shaped flowers that resemble small Easter lilies. The flowers have a strong, sweet fragrance that attracts hawk moths-the primary pollinators. Desert lily was once included in the lily family but is now placed in the Agave subfamily within the asparagus family.  "California Desert Plants, Philip J Rundel, Robert W Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."
• The large white trumpets of this sand-loving plant resemble those of the Easter lily. Its edible bulb is reminiscent of garlic, ajo in Spanish. The flowers emerge from a rosette of ribbony leaves, sometimes at ground level, other times on a short stalk. The sphinx-moth pollinator is attracted to its deep spurs filled with fragrant nectar. Although most common and larger in moisture-laden dune areas, this lily also inhabits gravel flats below 2,000 feet. Its bloom period reaches from mid-February to mid-April, peaking in late March. "Arizona Highways Presents Desert Wildflowers, 1988".