Ithuriel's Spear
Triteleia laxa
- Native to:
- United States
Eugene Zelenko
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Genus:
- Triteleia
- Species:
- Triteleia laxa
- USDA Symbol:
- TRLA16
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 70 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple, white
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:
- Native to California grasslands and oak woodlands with historic fire regimes; resprouts from corm after fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to open woodlands and grasslands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best in fall with cool temperatures. Corms can also be planted directly.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Clean dry seed placed in dry, cold storage following collection and prior to sowing
Establishment: Whole fruits can be collected from heads immediately prior to or after ripening. Seed may be shaken from capsules which have split. If necessary, 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
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.