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ookow
Scientific Name: Dichelostemma congestum
Family: Liliaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Dichelostemma congestum
Also known as Ookow or Fork-toothed Ookow, Dichelostemma congestum is a perennial wildflower celebrated for its distinctive clustered blooms.
Common Names
- Ookow
- Fork-toothed Ookow
- Ballhead Cluster Lily
- Cluster Lily
- Northern Saitas
- Manyflower brodiaea
- Roundtooth snakelily
- Wild hyacinth
- Many flowered brodiaea
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Dichelostemma congestum (Sm.) Kunth
- Family: Liliaceae (Lily Family) / Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family)
- Synonyms: Brodiaea
Distribution and Habitat
This wildflower is native to western North America and is found in grasslands and sunny areas, including those near forests. It is found in Sonoma County, California, Polk County, Oregon and also grows in the Columbia River Gorge.
Morphological Characteristics
- The plant typically grows to a height of 1-2 feet.
- It features a tight cluster of purple or blue-violet lily flowers at the top of long stems, forming ball-shaped umbels.
- Individual flowers can be slender, and have forked "teeth" in the center.
- Leaves are few (3-4), grass-like, 2-4 inches long, and have a deep channel down the center.
Interactions with Other Organisms
The Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutullus) has been observed interacting with the plant.
Quirky Facts
- The name "Ookow" is fun to say.
- Forktooth Ookow is described as possibly the oddest named plant in some areas.