Dichelostemma congestum
Fork-toothed ookow
(c) John Hibbard, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John Hibbard · licence
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Dichelostemma congestum (Fork-toothed ookow) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by . Key features: raceme-like inflorescence, deep-notched crown, crown leaning away from anthers.
Fork-toothed ookow is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, the Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada, and San Francisco Bay Area in open woodland and grassland at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces blue-purple flowers in dense raceme-like clusters with narrow-ovoid perianth tubes and distinctive crown lobes. Growing with tall scapes 30 to 90 centimeters high that are slightly rough-textured, it emerges from glaucous leaves that are keeled and 4 to 35 centimeters long. Its pale purple to green bracts subtend flowers with ascending lobes, and the plant's crown is narrow-lanceolate with a deep notch. The flowers feature a unique crown that leans away from the anthers, creating an intricate architectural display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species. Key features: raceme-like inflorescence, deep-notched crown, crown leaning away from anthers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open woodland, grassland
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: Contra Costa, Shasta, Santa Clara, Trinity, Modoc, Plumas, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Tehama, Humboldt, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Colusa, Sonoma, Lassen, Butte, Alameda, Sacramento, El Dorado, Lake, Del Norte, Glenn, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Calaveras, San Diego, Kern, Madera, Orange, Sierra, Yolo, Placer
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Dichelostemma congestum blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Dipterostemon: Dichelostemma stalks twist or twine dramatically; Dipterostemon stalks may curve but don't twine.; vs Allium: Dichelostemma lacks onion smell; Allium has strong onion/garlic odor when crushed.; vs Brodiaea: Dichelostemma stalks curve or twist; Brodiaea stalks stay straight and upright.; vs Triteleia: Dichelostemma stalks curve or twine; Triteleia stalks stay straight.; vs Tulbaghia: Dichelostemma lacks onion smell; Tulbaghia has garlic odor when damaged.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dichelostemma congestum native to California?
Yes. Dichelostemma congestum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dichelostemma congestum bloom?
Dichelostemma congestum blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Dichelostemma congestum grow?
Dichelostemma congestum occurs in Contra Costa, Shasta, Santa Clara, Trinity, Modoc, Plumas, Siskiyou, Mendocino and other counties, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Dichelostemma congestum belong to?
Dichelostemma congestum is in the Themidaceae family, genus Dichelostemma.
What habitat does Dichelostemma congestum grow in?
Dichelostemma congestum grows in Open woodland, grassland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.