brodiaea

[ broh-dee-ee-uh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of several plants belonging to the genus Brodiaea, of the amaryllis family, native to western North America, having grasslike basal leaves and clusters of usually purplish flowers.

< New Latin (1810), named after James Brodie (1744–1824), Scottish botanist; -aea

There are four kinds of Bloomeria, all Californian, resembling Brodiaea, but the stamens unlike.

This looks very much like Golden Brodiaea, but the latter has no cup at the base of the stamens.

There are several kinds of Muilla, much like Brodiaea and very much like Allium, but with no onion taste or smell.

There are many kinds of Brodiaea, among the prettiest western flowers.

Kroeber thinks that the description indicates the wild onion (Brodiaea), called putcu in Coast Miwok, and this is not improbable.

Browse