Brodiaea rosea subsp. rosea
Indian valley brodiaea
Photo: parent species Brodiaea rosea · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Brodiaea rosea subsp. rosea (Indian valley brodiaea) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family.
Indian valley brodiaea is a California native perennial found in the central and northern Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, and Sacramento Valley in meadows, seeps, and vernal pool margins at elevations of 135 to 1,740 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces striking pink to pale or dark violet flowers with occasional purple streaks in delicate, somewhat tubular perianth clusters. Growing with a slender scape 10 to 20 centimeters tall, it emerges from underground corms in open grassland and woodland habitats. Its linear leaves are typically narrow and grass-like, emerging from the base of the plant. Delicate pedicels supporting the flowers measure up to 4.3 centimeters long, creating an elegant, sparse floral display.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, seeps, swales, vernal pool margins, intermittent streambeds, in chaparral, closed-cone forest, montane coniferous forest, juniper woodland, sagebrush scrub, on or off serpentine
Elevation: 135-1,740 m
Outside California: to BC
Bloom period
Brodiaea rosea subsp. rosea blooms May-Jul(Sep).
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 rosea subsp. rosea native to California?
Yes. Brodiaea rosea subsp. rosea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brodiaea rosea subsp. rosea bloom?
Brodiaea rosea subsp. rosea blooms May-Jul(Sep).
What plant family does Brodiaea rosea subsp. rosea belong to?
Brodiaea rosea subsp. rosea is in the Themidaceae family, genus Brodiaea.
What habitat does Brodiaea rosea subsp. rosea grow in?
Brodiaea rosea subsp. rosea grows in Meadows, seeps, swales, vernal pool margins, intermittent streambeds, in chaparral, closed-cone forest, montane coniferous forest, juniper woodland, sagebrush scrub, on or off serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.