Brodiaea kinkiensis
San clemente island brodiaea, San Clemente Island Brodiaea
(c) Casey H. Richart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Brodiaea kinkiensis (San clemente island brodiaea) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by Channel Islands endemic.
San clemente island brodiaea is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Channel Islands on San Clemente Island in grassland on clay flats at elevations of 100 to 200 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces purple or violet flowers with narrow bell-shaped perianth 14 to 24 millimeters long, featuring spreading outer lobes 5 to 7 millimeters wide and inner lobes 8 to 11 millimeters wide. Growing with slender scapes 20 to 30 centimeters tall, it emerges from underground corms with delicate structure. Its flowers have distinctive staminodes held away from stamens, with narrow wings and sharp-pointed tips. Each flower emerges on pedicels up to 8 centimeters long, creating an elegant display in the island's grassland habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; Channel Islands endemic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland on clay flats
Elevation: 100-200 m
California counties: Los Angeles
Bloom period
Brodiaea kinkiensis blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 kinkiensis native to California?
Yes. Brodiaea kinkiensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brodiaea kinkiensis bloom?
Brodiaea kinkiensis blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Brodiaea kinkiensis grow?
Brodiaea kinkiensis occurs in Los Angeles, at elevations of 100-200 m.
What plant family does Brodiaea kinkiensis belong to?
Brodiaea kinkiensis is in the Themidaceae family, genus Brodiaea.
Is Brodiaea kinkiensis rare or endangered?
Brodiaea kinkiensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, 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.