Brodiaea minor
Small brodiaea, Small Brodiaea
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Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Brodiaea minor (Small brodiaea) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by urn-shaped tube and T-shaped filaments diagnostic.
Small brodiaea is a California native perennial found in southern California Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, and northern Sacramento Valley in vernal pools, grasslands, meadows, and open foothill woodlands at elevations of 55 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces violet flowers with spreading perianth lobes 11 to 19 millimeters long in delicate inflorescences. Growing with slender scapes 10 to 25 centimeters tall, it emerges from underground corms with thin, elegant stems. Its flowers feature distinctive white staminodes with notched tips and inrolled margins, creating a complex and intricate floral structure. The plant produces an urn-shaped, tough perianth tube that remains intact throughout fruit development.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; urn-shaped tube and T-shaped filaments diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools, grassland, meadows, open foothill woodland, chaparral, occasionally serpentine or gabbro
Elevation: 55-1500 m
California counties: Placer, Butte, Calaveras, Yuba, Los Angeles, Shasta, Tehama, Plumas, Sacramento, Merced, Amador, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Nevada, Sierra, El Dorado, San Diego, Santa Clara, Ventura
Outside California: reported from southern Oregon
Bloom period
Brodiaea minor blooms Apr-Jul.
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 minor native to California?
Yes. Brodiaea minor is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brodiaea minor bloom?
Brodiaea minor blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Brodiaea minor grow?
Brodiaea minor occurs in Placer, Butte, Calaveras, Yuba, Los Angeles, Shasta, Tehama, Plumas and other counties, at elevations of 55-1500 m.
What plant family does Brodiaea minor belong to?
Brodiaea minor is in the Themidaceae family, genus Brodiaea.
What habitat does Brodiaea minor grow in?
Brodiaea minor grows in Vernal pools, grassland, meadows, open foothill woodland, chaparral, occasionally serpentine or gabbro.
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.