Brodiaea orcuttii
Orcutt's brodiaea
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Brodiaea orcuttii (Orcutt's brodiaea) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by no staminodes with spreading perianth lobes.
Orcutt's brodiaea is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in southern Riverside and San Diego counties in grasslands near streams and vernal pools at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces delicate lavender to purple flowers with spreading perianth lobes 17 to 32 millimeters long. Growing with a slender scape 8 to 25 centimeters tall, it emerges from a bulb-like underground structure. Its leaves are narrow and grass-like, emerging from the base of the plant. The flower's transparent perianth tube splits open as the fruit develops, revealing distinctive linear anthers with a V-shaped notch at the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; no staminodes with spreading perianth lobes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland near streams, vernal pools
Elevation: < 1600 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, Orange
Bloom period
Brodiaea orcuttii blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 orcuttii native to California?
Yes. Brodiaea orcuttii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brodiaea orcuttii bloom?
Brodiaea orcuttii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Brodiaea orcuttii grow?
Brodiaea orcuttii occurs in San Diego, Riverside, Orange, at elevations of < 1600 m.
What plant family does Brodiaea orcuttii belong to?
Brodiaea orcuttii is in the Themidaceae family, genus Brodiaea.
Is Brodiaea orcuttii rare or endangered?
Brodiaea orcuttii 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.