Triteleia peduncularis

Common Names

Long-Rayed Brodiaea, Long-Ray Brodiaea, Marsh Triteleia, Longray Tripletlily

Summary

Long-ray brodiaea is a bulbous geophyte native to western California. It is a perennial herb with a smooth erect scape up to about 80 cm tall and two to three basal leaves up to 40 cm long, offsetting freely to form clusters; an umbel-like inflorescence bears white funnel-shaped flowers often tinged with purple on very long pedicels up to 18 cm, with six tepals up to 1.6 cm long, six white stamens, and a central yellow ovary when fresh.

Natural habitats include wetlands, vernal pools, low fields, grasslands, serpentine soils, foothill woodlands, and wetland-riparian zones from sea level to about 800 m in western California. For cultivation, plant in full sun in rich, well-drained sandy loam; maintain moisture during growth with a warm, dry late summer/autumn period; it offsets to form clusters and can be propagated by seed (germination 1–3 months at 15°C) or by division of flowering-size bulbs in autumn; USDA hardiness zones 5–9.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-2.5 feet

Spread

4 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

Serpentine soils

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soils.

Bloom Color

White, often tinged purple.

Bloom Time

Spring

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and butterflies