Brodiaea pallida
Chinese camp brodiaea, Chinese Camp Brodiaea
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
Brodiaea pallida (Chinese camp brodiaea) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by central SNF endemic.
Chinese camp brodiaea is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Foothills in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, specifically in intermittent streambeds and vernal swales at elevations of 160 to 390 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces violet flowers with pale bases, the perianth lobes 10.5 to 16.5 millimeters long and spreading delicately. Growing with a slender scape 10 to 20 centimeters tall, it emerges from underground corms with graceful, thin stems. Its flowers feature distinctive white staminodes that are nearly as wide as the outer perianth lobes, with deep-notched tips and flat to slightly inrolled margins. The flower structure is uniquely urn-shaped, with a thin, opaque perianth tube that does not split in fruit.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; central SNF endemic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Intermittent streambeds, vernal swales, serpentine or not
Elevation: 160-390 m
California counties: Tuolumne, Calaveras, Shasta, San Diego, Ventura, Stanislaus
Bloom period
Brodiaea pallida blooms May-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 pallida native to California?
Yes. Brodiaea pallida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brodiaea pallida bloom?
Brodiaea pallida blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Brodiaea pallida grow?
Brodiaea pallida occurs in Tuolumne, Calaveras, Shasta, San Diego, Ventura, Stanislaus, at elevations of 160-390 m.
What plant family does Brodiaea pallida belong to?
Brodiaea pallida is in the Themidaceae family, genus Brodiaea.
Is Brodiaea pallida rare or endangered?
Brodiaea pallida carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.