Triteleia crocea
Yellow brodiaea
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Triteleia crocea (Yellow brodiaea) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by unique bright yellow flowers in this geographic range.
Yellow brodiaea is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the Klamath Ranges and high Cascade Range in open conifer forest and dry slopes at elevations of 650 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces bright yellow or pale blue flowers with green-striped lobes in clusters 12 to 19 millimeters long. Growing with smooth scapes 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it emerges from slender underground corms. Its linear leaves are narrow, measuring 9 to 40 centimeters long and 2 to 10 millimeters wide. The flower has distinctive stamens attached at two unequal levels, creating an intricate structural pattern.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; unique bright yellow flowers in this geographic range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open conifer forest, dry slopes
Elevation: 650-2200 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Kern, Trinity, Lassen, Shasta, Del Norte, Calaveras, Fresno
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Triteleia crocea blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 crocea native to California?
Yes. Triteleia crocea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Triteleia crocea bloom?
Triteleia crocea blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Triteleia crocea grow?
Triteleia crocea occurs in Siskiyou, Kern, Trinity, Lassen, Shasta, Del Norte, Calaveras, Fresno, at elevations of 650-2200 m.
What plant family does Triteleia crocea belong to?
Triteleia crocea is in the Themidaceae family, genus Triteleia.
Is Triteleia crocea rare or endangered?
Triteleia crocea 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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.