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Triteleia hyacinthina - (Lindl.)Greene.

Common Name Hyacinth Brodiaea, White brodiaea
Family Alliaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Grassy, often rocky open flats to mid-montane meadows[60], also found in wet places, meadows and slopes to 1800 metres[90].
Range South-western N. America - British Columbia and south to California.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Triteleia hyacinthina Hyacinth Brodiaea, White brodiaea


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Triteleia hyacinthina Hyacinth Brodiaea, White brodiaea
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Triteleia hyacinthina is a BULB growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Brodiaea hyacinthina. Hesperoscordum hyacinthinum.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; East Wall. By. South Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Bulb - raw or cooked[105, 161, 212, 257]. Rich in starch, the bulb can be used like potatoes[257]. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a rich well-drained sandy loam[1]. Likes plenty of moisture whilst in growth followed by a warm dry period in late summer and autumn[200]. Succeeds outdoors in a very sheltered warm position, otherwise it is best grown in a bulb frame[90]. There are two basic forms of this species, a large white-flowered form grows wild in wet places whilst a smaller form is found on drier slopes[90]. The hardiness zone has been given as 4, this is somewhat questionable, the plant is liable to be much less hardy[K].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Alternatively, the seed can be sown in spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 15°c. Sow the seed thinly so that there is no need to prick them out and grow the seedlings on in the pot for their first year. Give an occasional liquid feed to ensure that they do not become mineral deficient. Seedlings are prone to damping off so be careful not to overwater them and keep them well ventilated. When they become dormant, pot up the small bulbs placing about 3 in each pot. Grow them on in the greenhouse for another year or two until the bulbs are about 20mm in diameter and then plant them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant in the autumn. Division of flowering size bulbs in autumn. Dig up the clumps of bulbs, replanting the larger ones direct into their permanent positions. It is best to pot up the smaller ones and grow them on in a greenhouse for a year before planting them out when they are dormant in early autumn.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Triteleia grandifloraWild Hyacinth, Largeflower triteleia, Howell's triteleiaBulb0.7 4-8  LMNDM40 
Triteleia ixioidesPretty Face, Cook's triteleia, Golden brodiaeaBulb0.6 6-9  LMNDM30 
Triteleia laxaGrassnut, Ithuriel's spearBulb0.5 6-9  LMHNDM40 
Triteleia peduncularisLongray Tripletlily, Long-ray brodiaeaBulb0.3 5-9  LMNDM30 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Lindl.)Greene.

Botanical References

60200270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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