Brodiaea rosea subsp. vallicola
Valley brodiaea
Photo: parent species Brodiaea rosea · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Brodiaea rosea subsp. vallicola (Valley brodiaea) is a native California perennial in the Themidaceae family.
Valley brodiaea is a California native perennial herb ranked 4.2 by CNPS, found in grassland habitats at low elevations from 1 to 335 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces violet flowers with distinctive perianth lobes 14 to 24 millimeters long, ranging from white to pale violet. Growing with a scape less than 30 centimeters tall, it emerges delicately from grassland environments. Its flowers feature unique staminodes with white upper portions and pale violet lower portions, creating an intricate floral structure. The plant produces compact blossoms with inner perianth lobes 5 to 8.5 millimeters wide, showcasing a refined and elegant botanical form.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland
Elevation: 1-335 m
Bloom period
Brodiaea rosea subsp. vallicola blooms Apr-May(Jun).
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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. vallicola native to California?
Yes. Brodiaea rosea subsp. vallicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brodiaea rosea subsp. vallicola bloom?
Brodiaea rosea subsp. vallicola blooms Apr-May(Jun).
What plant family does Brodiaea rosea subsp. vallicola belong to?
Brodiaea rosea subsp. vallicola is in the Themidaceae family, genus Brodiaea.
Is Brodiaea rosea subsp. vallicola rare or endangered?
Brodiaea rosea subsp. vallicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Brodiaea rosea subsp. vallicola grow in?
Brodiaea rosea subsp. vallicola grows in Grassland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.