Dichelostemma ida-maia
Firecracker flower, Firecracker Flower
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Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Dichelostemma ida-maia (Firecracker flower) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by . Key features: red perianth tube with sac-like swellings, nodding flowers, yellow-green lobes.
Firecracker flower is a California native perennial found in northwestern California in forest edges and grasslands at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces distinctive red and yellow-green flowers with nodding blossoms featuring a cylindric red perianth tube and recurved yellow-green lobes. Growing with a tall scape 30 to 100 centimeters high, it forms an open umbel-like inflorescence with lanceolate reddish bracts. Its leaves are 3 to 5 per plant, measuring 30 to 50 centimeters long, appearing glaucous and keeled. The flower's unique red tubular shape with white-edged crown and sac-like swellings on the lower third gives it a distinctive, almost firecracker-like appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species. Key features: red perianth tube with sac-like swellings, nodding flowers, yellow-green lobes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Forest edges, grassland
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: Humboldt, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Del Norte, Los Angeles, Lake, Trinity, Shasta, San Bernardino, Contra Costa, Napa
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Dichelostemma ida-maia blooms May-Jul.
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 ida-maia native to California?
Yes. Dichelostemma ida-maia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dichelostemma ida-maia bloom?
Dichelostemma ida-maia blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Dichelostemma ida-maia grow?
Dichelostemma ida-maia occurs in Humboldt, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Del Norte, Los Angeles, Lake, Trinity, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Dichelostemma ida-maia belong to?
Dichelostemma ida-maia is in the Themidaceae family, genus Dichelostemma.
What habitat does Dichelostemma ida-maia grow in?
Dichelostemma ida-maia grows in Forest edges, 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.