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Sierra brodiaea

Scientific Name: Brodiaea purdyi

Family: Liliaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Brodiaea Species: A Diverse Genus

The genus Brodiaea encompasses a variety of flowering plants, many of which are native to California and the surrounding regions. This diverse group, often referred to as cluster-lilies, exhibits a range of characteristics and habitats.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some species of Brodiaea are known to grow from bulbs.
  • Brodiaea flowers have grass-like leaves.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Family: Liliaceae / Themidaceae / Asparagaceae (depending on the species and classification system used)
  • Genus: Brodiaea Smith

Common Names and Accepted Scientific Names

  • Brodiaea minor (Benth.) S. Watson: Sierra brodiaea
  • Brodiaea insignis: Kaweah brodiaea
  • Brodiaea elegans: Elegant Brodiaea, Harvest Brodiaea
  • Brodiaea purdyi: Sierra Brodiaea
  • Brodiaea sierrae: Sierra Foothills Brodiaea
  • Brodiaea coronaria: California hyacinth, crown brodiaea, harvest cluster-lily
  • Brodiaea terrestris
  • Brodiaea filifolia: Threadleaf brodiaea
  • Brodiaea appendiculata: Appendaged Brodiaea

Synonyms and Alternative Names

  • Brodiaea californica Lindl. var. leptandra (Greene) Hoover = Brodiaea sierrae.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Many Brodiaea species are endemic to California, particularly the Sierra Nevada foothills.
  • Brodiaea coronaria thrives from British Columbia to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, along the Cascade Range, and throughout northwestern California.
  • Brodiaea terrestris is native to the California border, through the Bay Area, to San Diego, and in the central Sierra Nevada.
  • Brodiaea appendiculata is found in valley grasslands, open woodlands, gravelly clay soil from the San Francisco Bay Region to the Sierra.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Brodiaea purdyi is described as a forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass).
  • Sierra brodiaea is evergreen during winter. Adult specimens are small in size and reach 50 cm high.
  • Brodiaea flowers have grass-like leaves and six petals, each with a dark stripe.

Traditional Uses

  • Historically, Brodiaea was used as a paint binder and adhesive on bows.

Ecological Role

  • Several Brodiaea species are deer resistant, making them suitable for gardens in areas where deer are prevalent.

Specific Species Highlights

  • Brodiaea sierrae: A relatively recently described species from the Sierra Nevada foothills of California.