Dichelostemma capitatum subsp. capitatum

Illustrated
Synonyms: Brodiaea capitata var. insularis (Greene) J. F. Macbride Brodiaea insularis (Greene) Burnham Dichelostemma insulare L. W. Lenz Dichelostemma lacuna-vernalis (Greene) Rydberg Dipterostemon insularis
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 330. Mentioned on page 329.

Inflorescences 6–15-flowered; bracts usually dark purple, sometimes paler and striped dark purple. Flowers: perianth lobes usually ascending; pedicel 1–15 mm, usually shorter than bracts. 2n = 18, 36, 54, 72, 90.


Phenology: Flowering mostly spring (Feb–Apr; as early as Dec in the south, as late as Jun–Jul for high-elevation populations).
Habitat: Most abundant in open woodlands and grasslands, but found in many habitat types
Elevation: 0–2300 m

Distribution

V26 666-distribution-map.jpg

Calif., Oreg., n Mexico (Baja California, including islands).

Discussion

Many populations of subsp. capitatum may merit separate subspecific if not specific status. For example, the plants sometimes recognized separately as Dichelostemma lacuna-vernalis have a distinct morphology and favor vernal pools (L. W. Lenz 1974). However, they are no more distinct in morphology or habitat than are several other populations, and further study is needed (G. Keator 1992).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
J. Chris Pires +
(Bentham) Alph. Wood +
Brodiaea capitata +
Calif. +, Oreg. +, n Mexico (Baja California +  and including islands). +
0–2300 m +
Most abundant in open woodlands and grasslands, but found in many habitat types +
Flowering mostly spring (Feb–Apr +  and as early as Dec in the south, as late as Jun–Jul for high-elevation populations). +
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia +
Illustrated +
Brodiaea capitata var. insularis +, Brodiaea insularis +, Dichelostemma insulare +, Dichelostemma lacuna-vernalis +  and Dipterostemon insularis +
Dichelostemma capitatum subsp. capitatum +
Dichelostemma capitatum +
subspecies +