Triteleia grandiflora
large-flowered triteleia
Overview
Triteleia grandiflora is a perennial bulb in the asparagus family that grows from a deep corm and reaches 8–28 inches (20–70 cm) tall in flower. One or two narrow, grass-like basal leaves 4–16 inches (10–40 cm) long appear in spring and usually wither by the time the plant blooms. From May to June a leafless stalk carries a loose umbel of 5–25 funnel-shaped flowers, each 0.6–1 inch (15–25 mm) long, ranging from blue and violet to occasional white, with the petals fused into a tube that flares into six lobes. The stamens sit at two levels inside the tube, a feature used to identify the genus. After flowering the plant sets dry capsules of black seeds and goes dormant for the summer, surviving heat and drought underground as a corm. The corm was a traditional food of Indigenous peoples of western North America. It grows on grassland, sagebrush steppe, and open pine slopes that are moist in spring and dry in summer. It does not tolerate summer irrigation or rich, constantly moist soils, which can rot the corm.
Native Range
Native to western North America, from British Columbia south to central California and east to Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. It grows on grassland, sagebrush steppe, and open coniferous slopes that dry out in summer.Suggested Uses
Triteleia grandiflora is used in native meadow plantings, rock gardens, and dry borders that receive no summer water. Its spring flowers supply nectar to bees and other pollinators. The summer-dormant habit suits unirrigated and naturalized plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'4"
Width/Spread4" - 8"
Bloom Information
Blue to violet flowers open from May to June on leafless stalks, lasting two to four weeks. Each umbel holds 5 to 25 flowers that open in succession. After bloom the plant sets seed and goes dormant by midsummer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue to violetFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Triteleia grandiflora grows in full sun on well-drained loam, sand, or rocky soils that are moist in spring and dry in summer. It needs no summer water once dormant and can rot if irrigated during its dormant period. The corm is planted in autumn 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) deep and resprouts with winter and spring moisture. Seed germinates after cold, moist stratification but takes several years to reach flowering size. The plant declines in heavy, wet, or shaded soils. Established corms multiply slowly by offsets to form small clumps.Pruning
Triteleia grandiflora needs no pruning. Spent flower stalks and withered leaves can be removed once the plant goes dormant, or left to self-sow. New growth rises from the corm with autumn and winter rain.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons