Bridges' Brodiaea

Triteleia bridgesii is similar to T. laxa and in herbarium specimens can be distinguished only by the stamens. However, in fresh flowers, the perianth lobes of T. bridgesii spread abruptly from the throat of the perianth tube, unlike those of T. laxa, and the flowers of T. bridgesii are erect, while those of T. laxa are oriented horizontally. Triteleia bridgesii flowers a month earlier than T. laxa where they both occur in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The flowers in specimens of T. bridgesii from Humboldt County are unusually long, which accounts for the wide ranges of measurements for the perianth.

Leaves 20–55 cm × 3–10 mm. Scape 10–60 cm, smooth except sometimes scabrous near base. Flowers: perianth lilac, bluish purple, pink, or reddish purple, 27–45 mm, tube strongly attenuate with slender base, 17–25 mm, hyaline vescicles present in tube, lobes abruptly spreading, 10–20 mm, shorter than tube; stamens attached at 1 level, equal; filaments triangular, widened toward base, 3–4 mm, apical appendages absent; anthers bluish, 3.5–4.5 mm; ovary 1/4–1/3 length of stipe; pedicel 2–9 cm. 2n = 16.

Calif., Oreg.

Flowering spring (Apr--Jun).

Foothills, yellow pines, mixed evergreen forests, often at forest edges and on rocks, dry bluffs, hillsides, mainly areas of serpentine; 0--100m.

Brodiaea bridgesii S. Watson, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 14: 237. 1878; Hookera bridgesii (S. Watson) Kuntze

The triplet lily Triteleia bridgesii (previously Brodiaea bridgesii) is known by the common name Bridges' brodiaea. It is found in the foothills and low elevation mountains of California and Oregon, often in areas of serpentine soil.

It is an attractive perennial flower often planted as an ornamental. The plant sends up long, erect green stems which branch near the top into several smaller stems which bear the blooms. The flowers are bright purple or lavender, tubular at first and then opening into six-pointed star shapes.