Brodiaea sierrae
Sierra foothills brodiaea, Sierra Foothills Brodiaea
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Family: Themidaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Brodiaea sierrae (Sierra foothills brodiaea) is a native California perennial in the Themidaceae family, recognized by largest flowers with longest staminodes.
Sierra foothills brodiaea is a California native perennial herb found in northern Sierra Nevada Foothills in open areas of chaparral and foothill woodland at elevations of 180 to 945 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces violet to pink flowers with large perianth lobes 25 to 38 millimeters long, with distinctive recurved tips. Growing with a stout scape 20 to 80 centimeters tall, it emerges from underground corms in dry meadows. Its flowers feature white staminodes that are reflexed at the tip and linear in shape, creating an elegant interior floral structure. The delicate violet flowers with translucent cylindric tube split open as the plant matures, revealing its intricate botanical design.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; largest flowers with longest staminodes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open areas in chaparral, foothill woodland (dry meadows), generally on soils derived from basic and ultramafic intrusive rocks
Elevation: 180-945 m
California counties: Butte, Nevada, Yuba
Bloom period
Brodiaea sierrae blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 sierrae native to California?
Yes. Brodiaea sierrae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brodiaea sierrae bloom?
Brodiaea sierrae blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Brodiaea sierrae grow?
Brodiaea sierrae occurs in Butte, Nevada, Yuba, at elevations of 180-945 m.
What plant family does Brodiaea sierrae belong to?
Brodiaea sierrae is in the Themidaceae family, genus Brodiaea.
Is Brodiaea sierrae rare or endangered?
Brodiaea sierrae carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.