Brodiaea orcuttii

Common Names

Orcutt's Brodiaea

Summary

Orcutt's brodiaea is a perennial geophyte endemic to southern California, especially San Diego County, with range extending into Baja California. It grows from underground corms, forming a bulbous clump and reaching about 5–25 cm tall. The slender flowering stalk bears a simple umbel with six purple tepals 1–2 cm long on pedicels a few centimeters long; flowers are red-purple to blue with widely spreading lobes, and this species lacks staminodes, the only Brodiaea without that feature. Bloom occurs from April to July in mesic vernal-pool margins, grassy seeps, and near streams.

In cultivation, full sun and low to very low water are preferred, with well-drained to medium coarse or clay soils; suitable for containers, borders, and rock gardens. Native to California and northwestern Mexico, it is uncommon and California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1 with global rank G2, reflecting rarity and conservation concern. It grows as a perennial herb that stores nutrients in underground corms and undergoes summer–fall dormancy; seed germination requires no treatment.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

5-18 inches

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

Clay soil

Soil Drainage

Mesic (moderately moist) soils

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds and bulbs/corms (bulbs), vegetative propagation via underground cormlets (offset corms), corm-sprouting.

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies