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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum

Dichelostemma capitatum (Benth.) Alph. Wood ssp. capitatum

Bluedicks, Wild Hyacinth

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Synonym(s): Brodiaea capitata, Brodiaea pulchella, Dichelostemma lacuna-vernalis, Dichelostemma pulchellum, Dichelostemma pulchellum var. capitatum, Hookera pulchella

USDA Symbol: dicac5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Grasslike, 6-16 in. leaves and a 2-3 ft. stem arise from an edible corm. Up to a dozen violet flowers cluster in a rounded head at the top of the stem. After the seeds have matured in early summer, the leaves wither and the perennial plant enters dormancy until the following spring.

From the Image Gallery

15 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NM , NV , OR , UT
Native Distribution: S.w. NM to Baja, n. to OR
Native Habitat: Mesas; open slopes; chaparral; grasslands

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Poor, dry soils.
Conditions Comments: Drought tolerant.

Propagation

Description: Plant untreated seed 1/4" deep. Thin to 3-5" if necessary by digging dormant cormlets and respacing. Plants from seed require 2-3 years to flower. Also can be propagated by digging mature corms in the fall and carefully dividing the offset corms. Pla
Seed Treatment: No treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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