Brodiaea californica
California brodiaea
(c) Dee Shea Himes, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Brodiaea californica (California brodiaea) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by largest size distinguishes from others.
California brodiaea is a native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Sacramento Valley, and California Roaring Fork region in grasslands and open woodlands at elevations of 50 to 315 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces violet, lavender, or pink flowers with striking perianth lobes up to 32.5 millimeters long and distinctive recurved tips. Growing with a stout scape 20 to 70 centimeters tall, it emerges from underground corms in open grassy areas. Its flowers feature translucent cylindric tubes and white staminodes with wavy, toothed margins that arc elegantly above the bloom. The delicate flowers have inner perianth lobes 6 to 10.5 millimeters wide, creating an intricate and graceful appearance characteristic of California brodiaeas.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; largest size distinguishes from others
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, open woodland, rocky or gravelly soils
Elevation: 50-315 m
California counties: Butte, Tehama, Mendocino, Sonoma, Shasta, Nevada, Mariposa, Amador, Calaveras, Lake, El Dorado, Yuba, Sacramento
Outside California: southern Oregon (reported)
Bloom period
Brodiaea californica blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Triteleia: Count the stamens: Brodiaea has 3 fertile stamens, Triteleia has 6.; vs Dipterostemon: Brodiaea has straight flower stalks; Dipterostemon stalks curve or bend.; vs Dichelostemma: Brodiaea stalks stay straight and upright; Dichelostemma stalks curve, twist, or twine.; vs Sisyrinchium: Brodiaea flowers are tubular; Sisyrinchium flowers are flat and star-shaped.; vs Scilla: Brodiaea has tubular flowers with visible stamens inside; Scilla has bell-shaped flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brodiaea californica native to California?
Yes. Brodiaea californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brodiaea californica bloom?
Brodiaea californica blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Brodiaea californica grow?
Brodiaea californica occurs in Butte, Tehama, Mendocino, Sonoma, Shasta, Nevada, Mariposa, Amador and other counties, at elevations of 50-315 m.
What plant family does Brodiaea californica belong to?
Brodiaea californica is in the Themidaceae family, genus Brodiaea.
What habitat does Brodiaea californica grow in?
Brodiaea californica grows in Grassland, open woodland, rocky or gravelly soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.