Triteleia bridgesii
Native to the foothills and low-elevation mountains of California and Oregon, often on serpentine soils, this drought-tolerant cormous perennial in the Asparagaceae bears tall erect stems with an umbel of funnel-shaped purple-to-lavender flowers that open into six-pointed star shapes, and forms offsets that create clumps.
Common Names
Bridges' Brodiaea, Bridges' Triteleia
Summary
Bridges' brodiaea is a perennial herb native to California and Oregon’s foothills and low-elevation mountains, often in serpentine soils. It forms a bulbous geophyte with upright green stems up to 60 cm tall that branch near the top into several flowering stems; linear leaves reach 20–55 cm; a scapose, umbel-like inflorescence bears bright purple to lavender tubular flowers that open into six-pointed star shapes.
Grows best in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established; habitat includes dry bluffs, open woods, and serpentine soils. Propagation by seed or bulb division; commonly grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes, valued for spring blooms that attract pollinators.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
4-24 inches
Spread
6-12 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Serpentine soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Bloom Color
Purple to Lavender
Bloom Time
Spring
Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Moderate growth rate; 2–3 years to reach full size.
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees and butterflies
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (S.Watson) Greene
- Publication
- Bull. Calif. Acad. Sci. 2(6): 141 (1886)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Asparagales
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Triteleia