Brodiaea terrestris subsp. kernensis

Family: Themidaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Brodiaea terrestris subspecies kernensis is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehachapi, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in grasslands and open foothill woodlands at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces violet and white flowers with perianth 26 to 36 millimeters long, featuring distinctive staminodes. Growing with slender scapes 2 to 20 centimeters tall, it emerges from underground corms in open grassland settings. Its flower structure is notable for violet staminodes with margins partially incurved, creating an intricate floral display against delicate green backgrounds. Pedicels up to 7.5 centimeters long support the elegant inflorescence, allowing the flowers to emerge gracefully above grassy terrain.

Habitat: Grassland, open foothill woodland

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: < 1500 m

Bioregions: s SNF, Teh, TR, PR.

California counties: San Diego, San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Benito, Mendocino, Orange, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Santa Barbara

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.