Triteleia lugens
Dark-mouthed triteleia, Dark-Mouthed Triteleia
(c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Triteleia lugens (Dark-mouthed triteleia) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by pale yellow flowers with very broad filament bases, no appendages.
Dark-mouthed triteleia is a California native perennial found in southern North Coast Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, northern South Coast Ranges, and southern Great Basin in edges of chaparral, mixed forest, and foothill woodland at elevations of 100 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pale yellow to gold flowers with distinctive dark midveins, forming clusters on slender stems with blossoms 12 to 15 millimeters long. Growing with erect scapes 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it emerges from grassland and woodland settings with smooth stems. Its linear leaves stretch 10 to 40 centimeters long and measure 3 to 10 millimeters wide, providing a delicate green backdrop to its elegant floral display. The flower's unequal stamens with yellow or blue anthers add intriguing botanical complexity to this graceful wildflower.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; pale yellow flowers with very broad filament bases, no appendages
Habitat and range
Habitat: Edges of chaparral, mixed forest, foothill woodland, streambanks
Elevation: 100-1000 m
California counties: Lake, Napa, San Benito, Monterey, Madera, Los Angeles, Solano, Plumas, San Joaquin, Fresno, Mariposa, El Dorado, Calaveras
Bloom period
Triteleia lugens blooms Apr-Jun.
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 lugens native to California?
Yes. Triteleia lugens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Triteleia lugens bloom?
Triteleia lugens blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Triteleia lugens grow?
Triteleia lugens occurs in Lake, Napa, San Benito, Monterey, Madera, Los Angeles, Solano, Plumas and other counties, at elevations of 100-1000 m.
What plant family does Triteleia lugens belong to?
Triteleia lugens is in the Themidaceae family, genus Triteleia.
Is Triteleia lugens rare or endangered?
Triteleia lugens carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4?.
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.