Brodiaea Images

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Brodiaeas In San Marcos

Brodiaea jolonensis?

Brodiaea elegans

Key To Brodiaeas

Index Of Brodiaea Pages

Miscellaneous Brodiaea Images

Note: The Brodiaea, that I referred to as "Coastal BTK," is listed as a possible
undescribed taxon under B. jolonensis in the revised Jepson Manual II (2011)

Until a satisfactory name is applied to these populations, I will refer to southern California populations
previously called "Brodiaea jolonensis" as "Coastal BTK" and mountain populations previously called
"Brodiaea terrestris ssp. kernensis" as "Montane BTK."

The flower color for Brodiaea species on this page is blue-purple to violet. In the following images
I have attempted to match their true color; however, they may appear different on your monitor.

San Marcos Brodiaea Populations After March Rains 2006
Staminode Variation in BTK at Santa Rosa Plateau
Staminode Variation in BTK at Cuyamaca Lake
Pollen Of B. elegans Variant at Mission Trails
Brodiaea terrestris kernensis in Kern County
The Vascular Pattern of Perianth Segments
Vascular Pattern of #662 From Otay Mesa

Kearny Mesa Vernal Pools

Coastal BTK on Kearny Mesa. On 15 May 2005 (when this photo was taken), the predominant brodiaea in this vernal pool area was B. orcuttii. In fact, only one Coastal BTK was observed. The staminode apex is curved inwardly (hooded) as in other coastal populations of Coastal BTK in San Diego County.

Brodiaea orcuttii on Kearny Mesa in May 2005.

Brodiaea orcuttii flower showing red spider mites in the stamen region.

Otay Mesa

Coastal BTK on Otay Mesa (15 May 2005).

Dried flower and seeds of Coastal BTK on Otay Mesa (23 June 2005).

Mission Trails Regional Park

Brodiaea elegans ssp. elegans at Mission Trails Regional Park.

San Diego ambrosia (Ambrosia pumila), a rare, endemic ragweed that occurs in the Brodiaea elegans habitat at Mission Trails Regional Park. This low-growing native perennial with delicate, pinnately dissected leaves is very different from the common western ragweed (A. psilostachya).

Brodeaea elegans variant at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Brodeaea elegans variant at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Multiple scapes of a Brodeaea elegans variant at Mission Trails Regional Park. Since brodiaea plants generally have one scape per corm, this is evidence of asexual reproduction by cormlets.

San Marcos Vernal Pool Area

Corm of Coastal BTK in San Marcos with small cormlet at the base (red arrow). Brodiaeas commonly reproduce asexually by cormlets.

Coastal BTK in San Marcos. The staminodes are slightly hooded and slightly inrolled along the margins. This flower is virtually indistinguishable from BTK on the Santa Rosa Plateau where plants resembling both Coastal BTK and Montane BTK grow together in one variable population. If this is true, then perhaps the Coastal BTK and Montane BTK of San Diego County represent one species.

Brodiaea filifolia, a rare species with filiform (threadlike) staminodes. In May 2005 practically every flower of this species and B. orcuttii contained one or more minute flower beetles. These insects undoubtedly serve as pollinators. According to Bob Allen (personal communication, 2006), the common beetles on brodiaea flowers on the Santa Rosa Plateau in June 2006 were Coleoptera: Melyridae: Dasytinae.

Earth Brodiaea From Coastal Monterey County

Earth brodiaea (Brodiaea terrestris ssp. terrestris) from Monterey. The flowers are much smaller than coastal and montane BTK, and grow on very short scapes near the ground. The outer circle is 18 mm across, the same diameter as a U.S. penny.

Earth brodiaea (Brodiaea terrestris ssp. terrestris) from Monterey County. The flowers are much smaller than coastal and montane BTK, and grow on very short scapes near the ground.

Earth brodiaea (Brodiaea terrestris ssp. terrestris) from Monterey County.

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