SafePlants

Kaweah Brodiaea (Brodiaea insignis)

The Kaweah brodiaea, scientifically known as Brodiaea insignis, is a rare and beautiful flowering plant belonging to the cluster-lily genus. It is a perennial herb native to California and particularly well-known in the Sierra Nevada region.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Brodiaea insignis (Jepson) Niehaus
• Common Name: Kaweah brodiaea
• Family: Themidaceae (formerly Liliaceae and Asparagaceae)
• Order: Asparagales
• Synonyms: Brodiaea synandra (A. Heller) Jepson var. insignis Jepson

Distribution and Habitat

• Brodiaea insignis is endemic to California, specifically the Sierra Nevada region.
• It is particularly associated with the watersheds of the Kaweah and Tule Rivers in Tulare County, Central California.
• The plant thrives on granitic substrates and deep, clayey soils.
• Habitats include conifer forests high in the mountains and blue oak woodlands in the rolling foothills.

Morphological Characteristics

• Brodiaea insignis is a perennial herb that grows from a bulb.
• The scape (flower stalk) is slender, measuring 7-24 cm in height.
• Flowers are 14-24 mm and the perianth (petals) is rose colored.
• It is a non-woody plant, classified as a forb/herb.

Ecological Role

• Brodiaea insignis is listed as an endangered species.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The Kaweah brodiaea shares its habitat with other unique species, such as the spiny sepaled button celery, San Joaquin kit foxes, Southern spotted owls, and Pacific fishers.

Further Information

• The PLANTS Database: http://plants.usda.gov (Note: The provided link may require updating).
• Discover Life: Provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of the Kaweah brodiaea.