California Brodiaea
Brodiaea californica
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © leptonia (iNaturalist #280454736)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Genus:
- Brodiaea
- Species:
- Brodiaea californica
- USDA Symbol:
- BRCA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Geophyte
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple, lavender
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Corms survive fire and resprout vigorously. Often found in fire-adapted grassland and chaparral communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate with fall/winter rains. Plants are summer-dormant geophytes, requiring a dry period after flowering.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Germination rates varied significantly between Dye Creek and Vina Plains populations, likely due to a fungal attack on the latter. Whole fruits can be collected from heads immediately prior to or after ripening. Unopened capsules may need to be mechanically split. Large numbers of dry fruits may be shattered rapidly by very brief blending. After blending, seed may be cleaned by sifting and/or blowing off chaff.
Source: npn.rngr.net