Fool’s-onion (Triteleia hyacinthina, Bull. Calif. Acad. Sci. 2(6): 139 (1886))

Family: Asparagaceae

Author: (Lindl.) Greene

Bibliography: Bull. Calif. Acad. Sci. 2(6): 139 (1886)

Year: 1886

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Triteleia

Vegetable: False

Observations: SW. Canada to C. California

Description

Fool’s-onion, known scientifically as Triteleia hyacinthina, is a member of the Asparagaceae family. This intriguing flowering plant was first described comprehensively in the Bulletin of the California Academy of Sciences, in volume 2, issue 6, page 139, dated 1886, and credited to the work of the botanist Lindley, later refined by Greene.

It is native to a geographical stretch ranging from Southwestern Canada to Central California, thriving in diverse habitats within this corridor. Fool’s-onion is characterized by its delicate white flowers, which bear a superficial resemblance to the unrelated true onions, hence its common name. These blossoms typically appear in clusters, giving them a star-like appearance that contributes a delicate, ethereal beauty to the meadows and open wooded areas they inhabit.

The plant’s flowering season spans late spring to early summer, during which it becomes a vital component of the local ecosystem, attracting a variety of pollinators including bees and butterflies. The slender, grass-like foliage further adds to its graceful appearance, making Triteleia hyacinthina a desirable species for wildflower gardens and natural landscaping projects.

Despite its humble appearance, Fool’s-onion plays an essential role in the biodiversity of the regions it populates, offering both aesthetic value and ecological benefits.

Common Names

Eng: fool’s-onion, hyacinth brodiaea, white brodiaea, wild hyacinth, white triteleia, fool’s onion
Swe: liten bukettlilja
Fra: tritéléia fausse-jacinthe
En: Fool’s-onion, White brodiaea, Wild hyacinth, Hyacinth brodiaea, White triteleia, Fool’s onion
Fr: Tritéléia fausse-jacinthe
Sv: Liten bukettlilja

Synonyms

• Brodiaea dissimulata (M.Peck)
• Hesperoscordum lacteum (Lindl.)
• Milla hyacinthina var. lactea ((Lindl.) Baker)
• Allium tilingii (Regel)
• Brodiaea lactea var. major (Purdy)
• Brodiaea hyacinthina var. lactea ((Lindl.) Baker)
• Brodiaea hyacinthina var. lilacina ((S.Watson) Jeps.)
• Veatchia crystallina (Kellogg)
• Brodiaea hyacinthina ((Lindl.) Baker)
• Brodiaea lactea var. lilacina (S.Watson)
• Brodiaea lactea ((Lindl.) S.Watson)
• Hesperoscordum hyacinthinum (Lindl.)
• Milla hyacinthina ((Lindl.) Baker)
• Hookera hyacinthina var. lactea ((Lindl.) Jeps.)
• Hookera hyacinthina ((Lindl.) Kuntze)
• Hesperoscordum lewisii (Hook.)
• Scaduakintos umbellaris (Raf.)
• Brodiaea grandiflora var. macrantha (Torr. ex Durand)

Distribution

• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Nevada (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Washington (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Walter Siegmund (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2021 by Caleb Luther (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2022 by Ethan Greer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2022 by Ethan Greer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2022 by Ethan Greer (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 6, 2012 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2008 by EOL − Steve Matson (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Oct 16, 1998 by EOL − Charles Webber (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5304183)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:259667-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Triteleia hyacinthina (Lindl.) Greene)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth