Brodiaea

( broh - dih - EE - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of perennial flowering plants grow from corms, and are Pacific Coast natives that need full sun and no formal irrigation. These plants are commonly called Cluster Lilies, due to their  Flowers bloom in spring and early summertime and are funnel shaped. There are few leaves on this plant, and after flowering, they will die back to the ground.

Brodiaea Species and Varietals

The genus Brodiaea is a member of the plant family Asparagaceae and includes 17 distinct species. The genus is named for James Brodie, a Scottish politician and botanist. Brodiaea growing zones vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Brodiaea appendiculata (Appendage Brodiaea, Appendage Cluster-Lily)
Native to California, this species prefers to grow in the mountain foothills in the northern areas of the state. These are not commonly seen flowers, and produce purple blooms with six rays. Flowers appear from April through May. 

Brodiaea californica (California Brodiaea, California Cluster-Lily)
These perennials grow from bulb and are native to California and Oregon. This is the largest species in the genus, and produces flowers that range in color from purple to white to light pink. Blossoms occur in late spring through early summertime. 

Brodiaea coronaria (Brodiaea grandiflora) (Harvest Brodiaea, Crown Brodiaea)
This species grows best in zones 4-9 and 14-24, and produces clusters of dark blue flowers that are about an inch long. Stems grow to 6-10 inches tall. These plants are native to British Colombia down the West Coast of the United States to Northern California where it prefers to grow in grasslands and mountainous areas. There is a rare sub-species, Broiaea coronaria rosea, that produces pink flowers and is endemic to Tehama, Glenn, and Lake counties in northwestern California.

Brodiaea elegans (Harvest Brodiaea, Elegant Cluster Lily, Elegant Brodiaea)
This species of Brodiaea grows best in zones 2-9 and 14-24, reaches up to 16 inches tall when mature. These plants are native to California and Oregon, and produce a stout inflorescence that tops out at 20 inches tall. This is one of the later-blooming wildflowers of northern California, commonly seen flowering in May.

Brodiaea filifoilia (Threadleaf Brodiaea)
This species is endemic to southern California, and grows from bulb. It is a federally endangered species, and has trouble reproducing with pollen from genetically related individuals. Bright purple flowers bloom in spring to summer.

Brodiaea insignis (Kaweah Brodiaea)
This species is endemic to the Sierra Foothills in Tulare County, California. These are endangered plants, and produces purple to pinkish flowers on stems 10 inches tall. 

Brodiaea jolonensis (Chapparral Brodiaea)
These perennial bulbs are native to the coast and coastal mountain ranges of southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico. Flowers are bluish-purple.

Brodiaea kinkiensis (San Clemente Island Brodiaea)
Endemic to San Clemente Island (in the Channel Islands off the coast of California), this species of bulb is perennial and produces purple flowers with dark purple stripes.

​Brodiaea minor (Dwarf Brodiaea, Vernalpool Brodiaea)
This flower grows best in zones 7-9, 14-17 and 19-24 and blooms in dark blue atop 3-4 inch tall stems. These bulbs are endemic to central California where they grow in grassland valley areas adjacent to the Sierra Nevada Foothills.

Brodiaea orcuttii (Orcutt's Brodiaea)
These plants grow from corm and are native to San Diego County in southern California. Flowers are red-purple to blue and bloom in April through July in their native range. This is the only species of Brodiaea that lacks staminodes.

Brodiaea pallida (Chinese Camp Brodiaea)
These plants are native to the area between Tuolumne and Calaveras counties in California. Flowers are pale purple to whitish in this species, and bloom from late May through early June. 

Brodiaea santarosae (Santa Rosa Brodiaea, Santa Rosa Basalt Brodiaea)
There are only five known populations of this endangered California native flower in the area of Orange, Riverside, and San Diego counties in southern California. It was first described as a new species in 2007, making it a relatively recent discovery. These plants have bright purple flowers which bloom in spring and early summertime. 

Brodiaea terrestris (Dwarf Brodiaea)
This species, native to Oregon, California, and Baja California, produces low-growing white and purple flowers in spring and summertime. There are two subspecies, Brodiaea terrestris kernensis (Kern Brodiaea) and Brodiaea terrestris terrestris (Dwarf Brodiaea).

Caring for Brodiaea

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Brodiaea
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 204, Brodiaea
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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