> Triteleia laxa El Dorado County, California
The Brodiaea Family, Themidaceae, is a diverse group of bulbous perennial corms found from Central America through Western North America. The University of California currently recognizes 7 Genera and 45 species native to California. This includes a large number of endemic species.
In California, the Themidaceae are a highly adapted group found within almost every floristic province within the state. Most have evolved to a Mediterranean type climate where the corms become active with cooler temperatures and the commencement of precipitation in the autumn. During the spring months they grow rapidly and produce flowers from March through June depending on location and the species. During the hot, dry summer months the corms go into dormancy and spend the summer resting until the cooler autumn temperatures and precipitation begin the growth cycle again. An exception to this pattern are some of the high elevation, mountainous species which break dormancy in the spring with snow melt and continue with active growth into the summer before going into dormancy late in the summer season.
In this thread I will limit my discussion, for the most part, to 4 Genera: Brodiaea, Dichelostemma, Dipterostemon, and Triteleia. The discussion will be based on my extensive field studies of these plants primarily in El Dorado County, California, as well as my field studies throughout Northern and Central California. At times I will include comments concerning my ongoing breeding work with these species.
My hope is that others will share their experiences with the “Brodiaea’s” so that we can all benefit from the information. The Themidaceae are likely adaptable to a larger range of climatic/horticultural situations and applications than are currently in use today. We just need to experiment and trial these plants over a broad range of environmental conditions to gain a better understanding of their capabilities as ornamental plants.
Triteleia ixioides ssp. scabra El Dorado County, California
