Triteleia peduncularis
Long-rayed brodiaea
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Family: Themidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Triteleia peduncularis (Long-rayed brodiaea) is a native California herb in the Themidaceae family, recognized by very long pedicels up to 180mm, bright yellow ovary.
Long-rayed brodiaea is a California native perennial found in northwestern and central western California in wet grasslands, vernal streams, conifer and foothill woodlands, often on serpentine soils at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers with violet undertones, 15 to 28 millimeters long, arranged on slender scapes up to 80 centimeters tall. Growing with graceful, smooth stems, it develops long, narrow leaves 20 to 40 centimeters in length and 5 to 15 millimeters wide. Its delicate white flowers feature unequal stamens and a bright yellow ovary, creating an elegant contrast against its linear foliage. The flowers are supported by long pedicels ranging from 20 to 180 millimeters, giving the plant an airy, delicate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; very long pedicels up to 180mm, bright yellow ovary
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet grassland, vernal streams and pools, conifer and foothill woodland, often serpentine
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: Sonoma, Lake, Stanislaus, Marin, Humboldt, Colusa, Santa Clara, Napa, Tehama, Glenn, Monterey, San Mateo, Mendocino, Tuolumne, Del Norte
Bloom period
Triteleia peduncularis blooms May-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 peduncularis native to California?
Yes. Triteleia peduncularis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Triteleia peduncularis bloom?
Triteleia peduncularis blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Triteleia peduncularis grow?
Triteleia peduncularis occurs in Sonoma, Lake, Stanislaus, Marin, Humboldt, Colusa, Santa Clara, Napa and other counties, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Triteleia peduncularis belong to?
Triteleia peduncularis is in the Themidaceae family, genus Triteleia.
What habitat does Triteleia peduncularis grow in?
Triteleia peduncularis grows in Wet grassland, vernal streams and pools, conifer and foothill woodland, often serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Triteleia piutensis — Piute mountains triteleia
- Triteleia sp.
- Triteleia bridgesii — Bridges' brodiaea
- Triteleia clementina — San clemente island triteleia
- Triteleia crocea — Yellow brodiaea
- Triteleia crocea var. crocea — yellow triteleia
- Androstephium breviflorum — Small-flowered androstephium
- Androstephium sp.
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.