Ookow

Dichelostemma congestum can be recognized by its congested racemose inflorescence and deeply bifid perianth appendages that stand away from the anthers to form a corona.

Leaves 3–4, 4–35 cm; blade strongly keeled, ± glaucous. Scape self-supporting, with occasional bends, 30–80(–90) cm, ± scabrous. Inflorescences racemose, very dense, 6–15-flowered; bracts pale purple to green, widely lanceolate, 6–12 mm. Flowers horizontal or erect; perianth bluish purple, tube unangled, narrowly ovoid, slightly constricted above ovary, 8–10 mm, lobes ascending, 8–10 mm; perianth appendages 1 per stamen, each coalescent to an inner and outer tepal, leaning away from inner anthers to form corona, erect, purplish, narrowly lanceolate, 5–6 mm, apex deeply 2-fid into 2 wings; stamens 3, equal; anthers 4–5 mm; ovary sessile, 4–6 mm; style 5–6 mm; pedicel 1–6 mm. 2n = 18, 36.

Calif., Oreg., Wash.

Flowering spring (late Mar--May).

Open woodlands, grasslands near coast; 0--2000m.

Brodiaea congesta Smith, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 10: 3, plate 1. 1811; Hookera congesta (Smith) Jepson

Dichelostemma congestum is distributed from eastern Washington south to eastern Oregon, and thence southward to Northern California.

Dichelostemma congestum is a species of flowering plant known by the common name ookow or fork-toothed ookow. It is native to California, Oregon and Washington.

Its tall, thin, naked stem is topped with an inflorescence packed densely with six to 15 flowers, each about a centimeter wide and long, with usually six petal-like lobes in shades of bright purple.

It was first published in 1811 as Brodiaea congesta.