Herbs, perennial, scapose, from fibrous-coated corms. Leaves several, basal; blade linear, channeled. Scape solitary, cylindrical. Inflorescences umbellate, terminal, bracteate; bracts 3, lanceolate. Flowers: perianth 6-tepaled, distinctly connate proximally into tube, tube funnelform, slightly less to ca. 1/2 overall length of tepals; tepals similar; stamens 6, epitepalous; filaments erect, dilated their entire length, conate into a nectariferous tube with erect, 2-fid apical filament appendages forming a crown between anthers; anthers basifixed, introrse; pistil 3-carpellate; ovary superior, sessile, 3-locular, ovules several; style persistent, long, slender; stigma small, 3-lobed; pedicel not articulate, ± stout. Fruits capsular, 3-angled, subglobose, dehiscence loculicidal. Seeds black, flat, coat with crust.

Distribution

w United States, n Mexico.

Discussion

Species 3 (2 in the flora).

The distribution of the species in this genus is poorly documented (S. D. White et al. 1996). Recent molecular and morphological evidence suggests that Androstephium is closely related to Muilla (J. C. Pires 2000).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Androstephium breviflorum, Androstephium coeruleum

Key

1	Perianth white to light violet-purple, lobes longer than tube; scape scabrous basally; w United States.	Androstephium breviflorum
1	Perianth light blue to violet-purple, lobes shorter than to ca. as long as tube; scape entirely glabrous; c United States.	Androstephium coeruleum