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Grass Nut Triteleia laxa

Other plants called Grass Nut:

Previously known as:

  • Brodiaea laxa
Phonetic Spelling
try-TELL-ay-uh LAKS-uh
Description

Tritelia laxa, formerly Brodiaea laxa, is a species in a family of herbaceous perennials that are grown from bulbs or tubers. The plant is native to Northern California, where it is a considered a common wildflower, and can often be found in heavy soils, open forests, mixed conifer or foothill woodlands, and grasslands on clay soils.

The plant tolerates drought and grows well in rich, well-drained soils and sandy loams in full sun to part shade. Purple or blue flowers bloom in the early summer on a spray of small stalks atop a tall, leafless stem. For best results, provide the plant with consistent moisture spring to early summer; however, maintain a dry soil after blooming until the following spring.

The plant is cold hardy to Zone 6, but can overwinter in Zone 5 if sited in a protected south-facing location with mulch. Above Zone 5, you can grow the plant in containers that are moved to a dry area after bloom is completed to ensure the soil is dry. Bring the plant indoors in the fall to a cool, dry area with temperatures of 40 to 45 degrees F for the winter.

To plant from seed, sow 1/4 inch deep and thin to 3 to 5 seedlings if necessary by digging dormant cormlets and respacing. Note that when planted from seed, do not expect flowers for 2 to 3 years. To grow from bulbs, dig mature corms and divide, store the corms in a dry space at 70 to 77 degrees F. Plant the corms in the fall 3 to 5 inches deep to the base of the corm and space about 3 to 4 inches apart (9-10 bulbs per square foot). 

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

No known issues.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#drought tolerant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#drought tolerant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Triteleia
    Species:
    laxa
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northern California
    Wildlife Value:
    Food source for native bees.
    Bulb Storage:
    Store the corms in a dry space at 70 to 77 degrees F. Bulbs last one year.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 8 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Colored Sepals
    Flower Description:
    Blooms in very late spring (June). White with violet petal stripe.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Blooms appear on leafless stems in spring to early summer
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Design Feature:
    Border