Hyacinth brodiaea
Triteleia hyacinthina

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

An onion family plant. It is a small bulb plant. It grows 45-60 cm high and spreads 20-30 cm wide. The leaves are grass-like. These onion-like leaves often die before flowers appear. The bulbs are dormant for part of the year before re-growing. The flower stems are wiry. They have heads of up to 10 bowl shaped flowers. These are 8 cm wide. They are white or lavender. They are 25 mm wide.

There are 15 Tritelia species. Also put in the family Alliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. They need moist, well-drained soils. The soils should never be waterlogged. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The corms are boiled and mashed.

Edible parts

Root, bulb

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from the bulbs or corms.

Its other names

Local names

Wild hyacinth

Synonyms

Allium tilingii Regel; Brodiaea dissimulata M. Peck; Brodiaea hyacinthina (Lindl.) Baker; Brodiaea lactea (Lindl.) S. Watson; Hesperoscordum hyacinthium Lindl.; Hesperoscordum lacteum Lindl.; Hesperoscordum lewisii Hook.; Hookera hyacinthina (Lindl.) Hook.; Milla hyacinthina (Lindl.) Baker; Scaduakintos umbellaris Raf.; Triteleia lactea (Lindl.) Davidson & Moxley; Veatchia crystallina Kellogg;