Triteleia dudleyi
Dudley's triplet lily
(c) 2013 Dr. James D. Adams, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Triteleia dudleyi (Dudley's triplet lily) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by pale yellow flowers drying purple, high elevation subalpine habitat.
Dudley's triplet lily is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains, Tehachapi Mountains, and Transverse Ranges in subalpine forest at elevations of 1,200 to 3,500 meters. Flowering in July, this plant produces pale yellow flowers drying to purple, with perianth 18 to 24 millimeters long and spreading lobes 8 to 12 millimeters long. Growing with slender scapes 10 to 35 centimeters tall and smooth stems, it has distinctive narrow leaves 10 to 30 centimeters long and 3 to 11 millimeters wide. Its flowers feature unequal stamens with lavender anthers approximately 1 millimeter long and narrow triangular filaments. The plant has a delicate structure with a cylindric to narrowly funnel-shaped perianth tube 8 to 12 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; pale yellow flowers drying purple, high elevation subalpine habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Subalpine forest
Elevation: 1200-3500 m
Bloom period
Triteleia dudleyi blooms Jul.
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 dudleyi native to California?
Yes. Triteleia dudleyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Triteleia dudleyi bloom?
Triteleia dudleyi blooms Jul.
What plant family does Triteleia dudleyi belong to?
Triteleia dudleyi is in the Themidaceae family, genus Triteleia.
What habitat does Triteleia dudleyi grow in?
Triteleia dudleyi grows in Subalpine forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.