Triteleia ixioides subsp. cookii
Cook's triteleia, Cook's Triteleia
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Triteleia ixioides subsp. cookii (Cook's triteleia) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family.
Cook's triteleia is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the southern Santa Lucia Range in western central Coastal California, occurring in wet serpentine ravines and streamsides near cypresses at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to pale straw-colored flowers with reflexed perianth lobes, creating delicate clusters on slender stems. Growing with a scape 20 to 25 centimeters tall that is slightly rough-textured, it emerges from a grass-like base. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, reaching 10 to 20 centimeters in length, providing a slender green backdrop to the elegant floral display. The flowers feature white anthers and delicate perianth tubes 6 to 10 millimeters long, with lobes that elegantly curl back from the central stem.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated in southern Santa Lucia Range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streamsides, wet ravines on serpentine, often near cypresses
Elevation: < 700 m
Bloom period
Triteleia ixioides subsp. cookii blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 ixioides subsp. cookii native to California?
Yes. Triteleia ixioides subsp. cookii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Triteleia ixioides subsp. cookii bloom?
Triteleia ixioides subsp. cookii blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Triteleia ixioides subsp. cookii belong to?
Triteleia ixioides subsp. cookii is in the Themidaceae family, genus Triteleia.
Is Triteleia ixioides subsp. cookii rare or endangered?
Triteleia ixioides subsp. cookii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2S3.
What habitat does Triteleia ixioides subsp. cookii grow in?
Triteleia ixioides subsp. cookii grows in Streamsides, wet ravines on serpentine, often near cypresses.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.