Brodiaea filifolia
Thread-leaved brodiaea
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
Brodiaea filifolia (Thread-leaved brodiaea) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by absence of staminodes diagnostic.
Thread-leaved brodiaea is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in southern California coastal regions, San Bernardino Mountains, and western Peninsular Ranges in grasslands and vernal pools at elevations of 25 to 860 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces violet flowers with spreading perianth lobes 7 to 20 millimeters long in slender scapes 20 to 30 centimeters tall. Growing with a delicate, thin structure, its scape emerges from a basal cluster with extremely narrow leaves. Its perianth tube is transparent and narrow-cylindric, splitting open as the flower matures, with distinctive staminodes reflexed against the flower. The flower's inner perianth lobes are 5 to 7 millimeters wide, creating a delicate and intricate floral display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; absence of staminodes diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, vernal pools
Elevation: 25-860 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Mendocino
Bloom period
Brodiaea filifolia blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
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 filifolia native to California?
Yes. Brodiaea filifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brodiaea filifolia bloom?
Brodiaea filifolia blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Brodiaea filifolia grow?
Brodiaea filifolia occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Mendocino, at elevations of 25-860 m.
What plant family does Brodiaea filifolia belong to?
Brodiaea filifolia is in the Themidaceae family, genus Brodiaea.
Is Brodiaea filifolia rare or endangered?
Brodiaea filifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.