California Hyacinth, Grassnut, Wild onion
Dichelostemma capitatum

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A small corm plant. It grows 30-60 cm high and spreads 5 cm across. The leaves are grass like. The flowers are lilac-blue. They are broadly funnel shaped.

There are about 15 Brodiaea species. They are mostly in North America. Also put in the family Themidaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, North America (country/location of origin), Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The bulbs are cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Bulbs

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from small bulbs.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Brodiaea capitata Benth.; Brodiaea pulchella (Salisb.) Greene; Dichelostemma pulchellum var. capitatum (Benth.) Reveal; Dipterostemon capitatus (Benth.) Rydb.; Hookera capitata (Benth.) Kuntze; Milla capitata (Benth.) Baker; and others