Triteleia ixioides

(Dryand ex Aiton) Greene

Pretty face, Golden brodiaea

Asparagaceae Edible: Root, Bulb 8,044 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Triteleia ixioides, known as prettyface or golden star, is a monocotyledon flowering plant in the genus Triteleia. It is native to northern and central California and southwestern Oregon, where it can be found in coastal and inland coniferous forests and other habitat. It is a perennial wildflower growing from a corm. It produces one to two basal leaves up to 50 centimeters long by 1.5 wide. The inflorescence arises on an erect stem up to 80 centimeters tall. It is an umbel-like cluster of several flowers each borne on a pedicel up to 7 centimeters long. The flowers are variable in size, measuring one to nearly three centimeters in length. They are pale to bright yellow, or sometimes purple-tinged white. There are six tepals with darker midveins in shades of green, brown, or purple. The lobes are funnel-shaped and may open flat or somewhat reflexed. The six stamens form a fused tube that protrudes from the corolla; they have broad, flat filaments and whitish, yellowish, or blue anthers.

Description

An onion family plant. It is a corm or bulb plant. It re-grows from the bulb after a dormant period. It grows 45-60 cm high and spreads 20-30 cm wide. The leaves are grass-like. The flowers stems are wiry. They have heads of about 10 golden yellow flowers. These are widely flared and funnel shaped.

Edible Uses

The small bulbs can be eaten raw or cooked. Rich in starch, they can be prepared and used much like potatoes.

Traditional Uses

The bulbs are used as food.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. They need moist, well-drained soils. The soils should never be waterlogged. It needs an open, sunny position. It is resistant to frost. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Where It Grows

Australia, North America*, Tasmania, USA,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from the bulbs or corms. It can also be grown from seed.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, or alternatively in spring. Germination typically occurs within 1–3 months at 15°C. Sow thinly to avoid the need for pricking out, and grow seedlings on in the pot for their first year. Give occasional liquid feeds to prevent mineral deficiency. Seedlings are prone to damping off, so avoid overwatering and maintain good ventilation. Once dormant, pot up the small bulbs, placing around 3 per pot, and grow on in a greenhouse for another year or two until bulbs reach about 20mm in diameter. Plant out into permanent positions when dormant in autumn. For division, dig up clumps of flowering-size bulbs in autumn, replanting larger ones directly into permanent positions. Pot up smaller bulbs and grow on in a greenhouse for a year before planting out when dormant in early autumn.

Other Uses

None known

Notes

Also put in the family Alliaceae.

Synonyms

Brodiaea ixioides[Illegitimate]Calliprora ixioides (Dryand ex W. T. Aiton) GreeneHookera ixioides (Dryand ex W. T. Aiton) KuntzeMilla ixioides (Dryand ex W. T. Aiton) BakerOrnithogalum ixioides Dryand ex W. T. Aiton

References (3)

Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1432
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 302
Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 569