Triteleia crocea

Common Names

Yellow Triteleia, Yellow Triplet Lily, Yellow Brodiaea

Summary

Yellow triteleia is a perennial monocot in the lily family native to the Lower 48, distributed from southwestern Oregon to northwestern California in open conifer forests and dry slopes at elevations of 1200–2200 m. It grows as a short herb from a corm with daughter corms; leaves are basal, 9–40 cm long and 2–10 mm wide; the scapose, umbel-like inflorescence carries flowers that bloom May–June, with perianth colors ranging from bright yellow to pale blue and widely spreading lobes, sometimes with greenish-brown median stripes on the filaments. Two varieties are recognized by some sources: var. crocea (bright yellow) and var. modesta (pale blue).

Propagation occurs via corm offsets, enabling colony formation; in cultivation, the plant is well-suited for woodland garden plantings and habitat plantings, offering spring bloom and native-style texture in landscapes.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-12 inches

Spread

1-4 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8a-9b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

Rich, well-drained soil, serpentine soils

Soil Drainage

Rich, well-drained soil

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Division