western false asphodel
Triantha occidentalis (S.Watson) R.R.Gates
Triantha occidentalis, known as western false asphodel, is a carnivorous flowering plant in the family Tofieldiaceae. It was first recognized as a carnivorous species in 2021, making it a rare example within the Monocot clade. The plant is native to the Pacific Northwest and parts of western North America, including Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.
Description
Triantha occidentalis belongs to the genus Triantha and is part of the Tofieldiaceae family. It is distributed across the western regions of North America. This species was formally published in 1918 and is notable for its carnivorous nature, a characteristic uncommon in the Monocot group. It is found in habitats across the Pacific Northwest and adjacent areas, where it has adapted to capture and digest insects.
Other common names
western false asphodelwestern tofieldia
Distribution
NO · Alaska · Alberta · British Columbia · California · Idaho · Montana · Oregon · Washington · Wyoming
Synonyms
Asphodeliris occidentalisTofieldia occidentalisTofieldia glutinosa var. occidentalisTofieldia glutinosa subsp. occidentalis
