Threadleaf brodiaea is a perennial wildflower native to Southern California that blooms in the spring. It grows from an underground corm and has thread-like leaves and blue to purple trumpet-shaped flowers. It is threatened by development and grows best in clay or clay-loam soils in full sun to part shade with good winter rain. It makes an excellent choice for gardens, pathways, and containers and attracts pollinators like bees.

1. *Threadleaf brodiaea – Brodiaea filifolia (bro-DEE-uh fill-ih-FOE-lee-uh)
Family: Themidaceae (Brodiaea Family) - formerly Liliaceae
Native to: Southern CA from Los Angeles to San Diego Counties; locally clustered in clay soils at the
edges of vernal pools and flood plains, in Valley Grassland, Foothill Woodland and Coastal Sage
Scrub Communities. Rare plant seriously threatened by development.
Growth characteristics: perennial wildflower from corm mature height/width: to 1 ft.
Herbaceous perennial from a corm (underground reproductive structure). Leaves simple, thread-like.
Foliage appears with winter rains; plants die back to corm after flowering, setting seed.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring (Mar-June depending on rains, temperature). Up to 12 flowers in
loose cluster at top of flower stalk. Flowers blue- to pink-purple, trumpet-shaped with six rather
narrow petals. Flowers seem to float above the drying foliage. Very delicate, charming.
Uses in the garden: Best used as an accent along pathways, at the front of dry beds or in a rock
garden. Plant at least three bulbs for good pollination/seed production. Charming with native
annuals and cool season grasses. Excellent choice for containers. Corms are edible.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native bulbs.
Attracts: Good pollinator habitat: supports several native bee and pollinator beetle species.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Clay or clay-loam; any local pH.
Water Needs good winter rain. Let plants dry out after bloom (Water Zone 1-2 or 1).
Fertilizer None needed in ground. ½ strength dose in late winter in containers.
Other Best with no of light mulch only.
Management: Allow plants to produce seeds and re-seed, producing new plants. Dig up corms
every 3-4 years in fall; replant larger bulbs in new area.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed, in fall/winter by offsets: easy; won’t flower first years.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 18 4/29/18
* California native, but not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND