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California Brodiaea (Brodiaea californica)

The California Brodiaea, scientifically known as Brodiaea californica, is a perennial plant species belonging to the genus Brodiaea. It is also known by its common name, California Brodiaea.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Brodiaea californica Lindl.
• Family: Formerly Themideae (Brodiaea Family), previously in Lily Family (Liliaceae).
• Genus: Brodiaea
• Synonyms: Brodiaea californica var. leptandra.
• Subspecies: Brodiaea californica var. californica, Brodiaea californica subsp. leptandra

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to California and Oregon.
• Found along the west coast of North America, ranging from British Columbia to Baja California.
• Especially common in northern California.
• Grows in grasslands and open woodlands, particularly in the lower Sierra foothills down to the Valley floor.

Morphological Characteristics

• Perennial plant growing from a bulb.
• Can grow up to 30 inches (approximately 76 cm) tall, with some references stating 1-2 feet in height.
• Upright growth habit.
• Flowers are noted for their brilliant purple hue in some areas of the Pacific Coast Range.

Ecological Role

• The text mentions that the thread-leaved brodiaea (likely referring to a subspecies or related species) faces habitat loss as California's cities expand and pave over its traditional range.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Found in coastal prairies alongside other wildflowers like California Goldfields (Lasthenia californica) and Tidy-tips (Layia).

Further Information

• Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California.
• Discover Life's page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Brodiaea californica.
• Biosystematic Study of the Genus Brodiaea (University of California publications in botany, v. 60) Theodore F. Niehaus.