Triteleia lilacina
Foothill triteleia
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Triteleia lilacina (Foothill triteleia) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by small white flowers with lilac anthers, very low elevation.
Foothill triteleia is a California native perennial found in southern California Range Front and northern and central Sierra Nevada Foothill bioregions on dry rocky outcrops, volcanic hills, and mesas at elevations of 70 to 200 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces white flowers with delicate lilac-dotted stamens in an inflorescence with translucent, glassy-beaded perianth 7 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with a smooth to scabrous scape 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it emerges from a basal cluster of leaves. Its linear leaves reach 10 to 40 centimeters long and 4 to 22 millimeters wide, forming a graceful, grass-like base. The delicate flower clusters feature pedicels 5 to 50 millimeters long, creating an elegant, airy appearance above rocky terrain.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; small white flowers with lilac anthers, very low elevation
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry rocky outcrops, volcanic hills, mesas
Elevation: 70-200 m
California counties: Butte, Tehama, Shasta, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Placer, El Dorado
Bloom period
Triteleia lilacina blooms Mar-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 lilacina native to California?
Yes. Triteleia lilacina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Triteleia lilacina bloom?
Triteleia lilacina blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Triteleia lilacina grow?
Triteleia lilacina occurs in Butte, Tehama, Shasta, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Placer, El Dorado, at elevations of 70-200 m.
What plant family does Triteleia lilacina belong to?
Triteleia lilacina is in the Themidaceae family, genus Triteleia.
What habitat does Triteleia lilacina grow in?
Triteleia lilacina grows in dry rocky outcrops, volcanic hills, mesas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.