Triteleia grandiflora
Bulbous perennial in the Asparagaceae with smooth scapes and a terminal umbel of blue to bluish-purple to white, six-tepal funnel-shaped flowers that bloom in spring, across western North America from sagebrush steppe to pine forests at 100–3000 m
Common Names
Largeflower Triteleia, Blue-Lily, Blue Umber Lily, Wild Hyacinth, Howell's Triteleia
Summary
Large-flowered triteleia is a perennial herb from a corm native to western North America, with erect scapes 20–75 cm tall and basal linear leaves. An umbel of 5–20 blue to white funnel-shaped flowers sits atop, with a corolla 17–35 mm long, tube 8–20 mm, lobes 9–13 mm; six stamens attached at two levels; the inflorescence is scapose and blooms in spring.
Cultivation requires rich, well-drained sandy loam with moisture during growth and a warm, dry period in late summer/autumn; shade intolerant; propagation mainly from corms or offsets; forms patches in the wild and can cover large areas; in cultivation it is valued as an ornamental in native plant gardens and wildflower meadows.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
0.5-2.5 feet
Spread
Unknown
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4-8
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun. Tolerates partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-drained sandy loam or loamy soil with neutral to mildly alkaline pH.
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil.
Soil pH
Neutral to mildly alkaline
Bloom Color
Blue
Bloom Time
Spring
Foliage Color
Medium green
Fall Foliage Color
Unknown
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Moderate, 1-2 feet per year
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Division, Cormlets
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, butterflies, flies, and beetles
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Lindl.
- Publication
- Edwards's Bot. Reg. 15: t. 1293 (1830)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Asparagales
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Triteleia
Synonyms
Brodiaea douglasii var. howellii Triteleia bicolor Triteleia howellii Brodiaea bicolor Brodiaea douglasii Brodiaea grandiflora Triteleia grandiflora var. grandiflora Brodiaea grandiflora var. major Hookera bicolor Hookera douglasii Hookera howellii Milla grandiflora Tulophos grandiflora Triteleia grandiflora var. howellii Brodiaea howellii