Scientific Family
Liliaceae
Synonyms
Brodiaea capitata, B. pulchella, B. pulchella, Dichelostemma pulchellum, D. pulchellum var. capitatum, Hookera pulchella
Other common names
blue dicks
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 2 feet
Riparian
No
Herb with leafless flower stems and 2 to 3 slender basal leaves that grow from a large underground deep-seated corm (bulb). The funnel-shaped flowers are purple-blue and form rounded clusters at the top of twisted stems.
Leaves basal, slender, 2 to 3 per plant, mostly shorter than flower stalk, 4 to 28 inches long, blades barely ridged, margins slightly rough. Sepals and petals alike (tepals). Stamens 6, smaller 3 on outer tepals alternating with larger 3 on inner tepals.
Habitat
Found on dry open ridges and grassy plains, especially on heavier textured soils such as clays and heavy loams.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
0
High elevation
5000
Flower Characteristics
Purple-blue, sometimes white flowers form a dense, rounded cluster on top of a curved or twisted, fleshy stem. Individual flowers are 1 inch wide and have 6 petal-like segments. Ocassionaly blooms July or later.
Flower color
Light purple to blue, sometimes white
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Plants have 2 to 3 green, narrow, grasslike leaves that are up to 28 inches long, usually shorter that the flower stem. The crushed leaves smell like onions.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
3-angled capsule, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long with persistent style; splitting open to release seeds when mature.
Fruit type
Capsule
Seeds are angular and black.