Triteleia clementina
San clemente island triteleia, San Clemente Island Triteleia
(c) Vincent Weber, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Triteleia clementina (San clemente island triteleia) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family.
San clemente island triteleia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found on San Clemente Island in coastal-sage scrub and rocky habitats at elevations below 460 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces lavender flowers with purple anthers, forming an inflorescence with blossoms 16 to 27 millimeters long. Growing with tall scapes 30 to 90 centimeters high, it emerges from smooth stems rising from underground corms. Its leaves are long and slender, measuring 30 to 100 centimeters in length and 4 to 30 millimeters wide. The flower's distinctive lavender perianth has erect lobes 9 to 15 millimeters long, creating an elegant and delicate appearance characteristic of island flora.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated on San Clemente Island
Habitat and range
Habitat: Damp clefts, rocky walls, coastal-sage scrub
Elevation: < 460 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Napa
Bloom period
Triteleia clementina blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Brodiaea: Triteleia has six fertile stamens; Brodiaea has only three fertile stamens plus three white petal-like staminodes.; vs Dipterostemon: Triteleia has tubular flowers; Dipterostemon flowers open wide and spreading.; vs Allium: Triteleia has no onion smell; Allium smells like onion when crushed.; vs Bloomeria: Triteleia has tubular flowers; Bloomeria has spreading golden stars with a nectar cup.; vs Muilla: Triteleia flowers form clear tubes; Muilla petals spread wide and nearly separate.
Frequently asked questions
Is Triteleia clementina native to California?
Yes. Triteleia clementina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Triteleia clementina bloom?
Triteleia clementina blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Triteleia clementina grow?
Triteleia clementina occurs in Los Angeles, Napa, at elevations of < 460 m.
What plant family does Triteleia clementina belong to?
Triteleia clementina is in the Themidaceae family, genus Triteleia.
Is Triteleia clementina rare or endangered?
Triteleia clementina carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.