About Triteleia lemmoniae (S.Watson) Greene
Triteleia lemmoniae (S.Watson) Greene has common names including Oak Creek triteleia, Lemmon's star, and Oak Creek triplet lily. It is a plant species currently classified in the family Asparagaceae; older classifications placed it in Liliaceae instead. This species is endemic to Arizona, and it is the only member of the genus Triteleia that is native to the state. It is an herb that grows up to 30 cm (12 in) tall, and produces bright yellow or orange flowers. The species is named after Sara Plummer Lemmon (1836–1923), a prominent American botanist. Sara Plummer Lemmon and her husband John Gill (J.G.) Lemmon resided and worked in Oakland, California, but conducted extensive botanical exploration work in Arizona. Multiple plant species carry the epithet "lemmonii" to honor John Gill Lemmon, while Triteleia lemmoniae and Arizona's Mount Lemmon were named to honor Sara Plummer Lemmon.
