Montane, subalpine. Meadows, wetlands. Summer.
Navajo Lake Trail, July 11 and June 25, 2005.

Veratrum tenuipetalum most often grows in dense colonies in large and small high mountain meadows, but it also occurs scattered in open woods.  If plants receive sufficient summer rains, a small percentage of the plants will flower.  Few, if any plants will flower when moisture is low.

Each of the massive sprays of flowers in the upper photograph belongs to one plant.  In the lower photograph, the Navajo Lake Trail cuts through young Veratrum tenuipetalum that will soon, if moisture is sufficient, produce some flowering stalks.  (The Trail is heading to Navajo Lake which is tucked in a high valley behind 14,000 foot El Diente, the peak at the top, middle of the picture).

Montane, subalpine. Meadows, wetlands. Summer.
Lizard Head Trail, June 17, 2005.

Veratrum tenuipetalum is very distinctive and very common.  Early in the spring it appears in mountain meadows as a green, tightly packed cluster of leaves pushing through soils moist from recent snows.  Depending on the moisture it receives, it then erupts into a three-to-six foot tall corn-like plant and may then shoot up a long flower stem topped by white and green flowers.  In dry seasons it is common to find no plants in flower.  Veratrum tenuipetalum spreads from underground roots; it is not dependent on seeds for reproduction.

Montane, subalpine. Meadows, wetlands. Summer.
Echo Basin Loop Road, June 7, 2004.

Corn Lily's leaves are deeply pleated and veined, with pointed tips; leaves clasp the main stem with a nearly vertical posture.

Montane, subalpine. Meadows, wetlands. Summer.
Horse Creek Trail, June 21, 2005.

Montane, subalpine. Meadows, wetlands. Summer.
Navajo Lake Trail, July 11, 2005.

Corn Lily's flower head of hundreds of flowers is raggedy and flowers overlap in various stages of bloom and wither.

Montane, subalpine. Meadows, wetlands. Summer.
Navajo Lake Trail, July 11, 2005.

Montane, subalpine. Meadows, wetlands. Summer.
Lizard Head Trail, August 31, 2004.

In mid and late summer, sunny browns and yellows predominate before Corn Lily falls to the ground and turns to dull, decaying tans.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Veratrum tenuipetalum (Veratrum californicum)