Triteleia piutensis
Piute mountains triteleia, Piute Mountains Triteleia
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Themidaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Triteleia piutensis (Piute mountains triteleia) is a native California perennial in the Themidaceae family, recognized by short scape, yellow flowers with abaxial stripes, pinyon-juniper habitat.
Piute mountains triteleia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills in openings within pinyon/juniper and pinyon/oak woodland at elevations of 1,560 to 1,680 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces distinctive yellow flowers with a central green to brownish stripe, approximately 11 to 21 millimeters long with ascending-recurved lobes. Growing with slender stems 1.2 to 14 centimeters tall, it emerges from underground corms in volcanic or clay soils. Its linear leaves are relatively narrow, measuring 15 to 44 centimeters long and 2 to 8 millimeters wide. The flower's unequal stamens are attached at two different levels, with white anthers adding delicate texture to the blossom.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; short scape, yellow flowers with abaxial stripes, pinyon-juniper habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in pinyon/juniper or pinyon/oak woodland, volcanic soils or clay soil with volcanic hardpan
Elevation: 1560-1680 m
Bloom period
Triteleia piutensis blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 piutensis native to California?
Yes. Triteleia piutensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Triteleia piutensis bloom?
Triteleia piutensis blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Triteleia piutensis belong to?
Triteleia piutensis is in the Themidaceae family, genus Triteleia.
Is Triteleia piutensis rare or endangered?
Triteleia piutensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Triteleia piutensis grow in?
Triteleia piutensis grows in Openings in pinyon/juniper or pinyon/oak woodland, volcanic soils or clay soil with volcanic hardpan.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Triteleia sp.
- Triteleia bridgesii — Bridges' brodiaea
- Triteleia clementina — San clemente island triteleia
- Triteleia crocea — Yellow brodiaea
- Triteleia crocea var. crocea — yellow triteleia
- Triteleia crocea var. modesta — Trinity Mountains triteleia
- Androstephium breviflorum — Small-flowered androstephium
- Androstephium sp.
- Bloomeria clevelandii — San diego goldenstar
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.