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California brodiaea
Scientific Name: Brodiaea californica ssp. leptandra
Family: Liliaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
California Brodiaea (Brodiaea californica)
Brodiaea californica, commonly known as California brodiaea or California Brodiaea, is a perennial plant native to California and Oregon.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Brodiaea californica Lindl.
- Common Name: California Brodiaea, California brodiaea
- Family: Themidaceae (formerly in Lily Family (Liliaceae))
- Genus: Brodiaea
- Synonyms:
- Brodiaea californica var. leptandra
- Subspecies/Varieties:
- Brodiaea californica var. californica
- Brodiaea californica subsp. leptandra
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the west coast of North America, ranging from British Columbia to Baja California.
- Especially common in northern California.
- Grows in grasslands and open woodlands of lower Sierra foothills down to the Valley floor.
Morphology and Growth
- Grows from a bulb.
- Can reach up to 30 inches (approximately 76 cm) tall or 1-2 feet in height.
- Is a perennial plant with an upright growth habit.
- Features purple flowers in the spring.
Ecological Role
- Thread-leaved brodiaea is a California endangered plant species. Killing or possession of plants collected from the wild is prohibited. As California’s cities continue to grow, this plant’s traditional range is paved over.
Quirky Facts
- Harvard University, through a subsidiary named Brodiaea Inc., has been involved in the California water rights market.