Triteleia montana
Mountain triteleia
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Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Triteleia montana (Mountain triteleia) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family.
Mountain triteleia is a California native perennial found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Highlands in open montane conifer forest, gravelly plains, and granite ridges at elevations of 1,200 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces yellow flowers aging to purple, with funnel-shaped perianths 12 to 17 millimeters long featuring distinctive brown midveins. Growing with slender scapes 5 to 25 centimeters tall that are slightly rough-textured, it emerges from narrow leaves 10 to 30 centimeters long and 2 to 5 millimeters wide. Its leaves are linear and grass-like, emerging from a basal cluster. The flowers have cream to blue anthers and lobes that spread approximately 8 to 10 millimeters wide, creating a delicate, star-like arrangement.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated in montane Sierra Nevada
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open montane conifer forest, gravelly plains, granite ridges
Elevation: 1200-3000 m
California counties: Plumas, Lassen, Mono, Nevada, Alpine, Stanislaus, Mariposa, Sierra, Tuolumne, Shasta, Fresno, Butte, El Dorado, Madera
Bloom period
Triteleia montana blooms Jun-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 montana native to California?
Yes. Triteleia montana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Triteleia montana bloom?
Triteleia montana blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Triteleia montana grow?
Triteleia montana occurs in Plumas, Lassen, Mono, Nevada, Alpine, Stanislaus, Mariposa, Sierra and other counties, at elevations of 1200-3000 m.
What plant family does Triteleia montana belong to?
Triteleia montana is in the Themidaceae family, genus Triteleia.
What habitat does Triteleia montana grow in?
Triteleia montana grows in Open montane conifer forest, gravelly plains, granite ridges.
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.