Brodiaea nana
Dwarf brodiaea
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Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Brodiaea nana (Dwarf brodiaea) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by smallest size and papillate anthers diagnostic.
Dwarf brodiaea is a California native perennial found in southern California Range Front, northern Sierra Nevada Foothills, eastern Sacramento Valley, and northeastern San Joaquin Valley in vernal swales, pools, and shallow soil over bedrock at elevations of 10 to 410 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces violet flowers with spreading perianth lobes 10.5 to 18 millimeters long, creating an elegant urn-shaped bloom. Growing with a slender scape 2 to 10 centimeters tall, it emerges delicately from the ground. Its flowers feature distinctive white staminodes with notched tips and narrow-winged filaments, creating an intricate floral structure. The plant's compact form and specialized habitat make it a unique component of California's seasonal wetland ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; smallest size and papillate anthers diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal swales, pools, shallow soil over bedrock
Elevation: 10-410 m
California counties: Butte, Sacramento, Shasta, Tehama, Amador, Calaveras, Kern, San Joaquin, Merced, Stanislaus, El Dorado, Placer, Yuba
Bloom period
Brodiaea nana blooms Apr-May.
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 nana native to California?
Yes. Brodiaea nana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brodiaea nana bloom?
Brodiaea nana blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Brodiaea nana grow?
Brodiaea nana occurs in Butte, Sacramento, Shasta, Tehama, Amador, Calaveras, Kern, San Joaquin and other counties, at elevations of 10-410 m.
What plant family does Brodiaea nana belong to?
Brodiaea nana is in the Themidaceae family, genus Brodiaea.
What habitat does Brodiaea nana grow in?
Brodiaea nana grows in Vernal swales, pools, shallow soil over bedrock.
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.