Triteleia grandiflora
Large-flowered triteleia
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Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Triteleia grandiflora (Large-flowered triteleia) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by largest flowers with rounded tube base.
Large-flowered triteleia is a native perennial found in northern Klamath Range and northern California Range in grasslands, sagebrush, and pine forest habitats at elevations of 100 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to blue-purple flowers 17 to 35 millimeters long with spreading perianth lobes. Growing with slender scapes 20 to 75 centimeters tall, it emerges from a base of long, narrow leaves 20 to 70 centimeters in length. Its leaves are 4 to 10 millimeters wide, with ascending flower pedicels 10 to 40 millimeters long. The flowers feature yellow or purple anthers and are subtly arranged with stamens attached at two different levels.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; largest flowers with rounded tube base
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, sagebrush, pine forests, hills
Elevation: 100-3000 m
California counties: Glenn, Tulare, Siskiyou, Amador, Santa Cruz
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana, Utah
Bloom period
Triteleia grandiflora blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
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 grandiflora native to California?
Yes. Triteleia grandiflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Triteleia grandiflora bloom?
Triteleia grandiflora blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Triteleia grandiflora grow?
Triteleia grandiflora occurs in Glenn, Tulare, Siskiyou, Amador, Santa Cruz, at elevations of 100-3000 m.
What plant family does Triteleia grandiflora belong to?
Triteleia grandiflora is in the Themidaceae family, genus Triteleia.
Is Triteleia grandiflora rare or endangered?
Triteleia grandiflora carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
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.