Triteleia laxa, Ithuriel's Spear

These bright deep to light blue-purple flowers, members of the lily family, are perhaps the easiest to grow of the native bulbs, thriving in either sandy loam, gravelly loam, or clay. They stand from 4" to 15" tall, depending on the soil. Also called "Indian potatoes," the corms have long been a staple food of indigenous peoples.

Seed Packets contain enough seeds for 50 plants. 

Bulb Packets contain 7-9 bulbs, or ONE ounce.

Native Bulb Culture

Sprouts will appear above the soil in late fall and winter. Irrigate if the rains are inconsistent or late to keep the leaves and flowering stalk growing.

Native bulbs and corms can be grown in wooden boxes with stainless steel wire on the bottom to protect the corms from gophers. Ceramic containers at least one foot deep, are another way to increase the population.

In wetter areas, the gardener may find that seasonal flooding holds down the gopher population. Some areas still have gophers controlled by predators. In limited numbers, gophers actually spread Indian potatoes.

Native bulbs (this term refers to both corms and bulbs) are a beautiful part of California's grassland and meadow species and can be readily incorporated into your "mini-meadow." Doing small grow-outs will supply you with the quantities needed for good displays.

At harvest time, wait till the seeds have ripened and follow the seed stalk into the ground to find and remove the mother corm at the bottom. She may have a number of cormlets clinging to her sides, depending on her age. Gently detach the cormlets and replant them in the loosened soil for next year's harvest.

If you are interested in tasting this staple of most of California's indigenous tribes, you can prepare the mother corm by removing the hairy overcoat.  Then either boil for about 15 minutes or bake at 350 for 10 minutes. You can boil it and then sauté it in hot oil, or mash. The longer they cook, the sweeter they become.

Note: We have used them to make an Indian dessert called "ras malai," which involves boiling them gently with milk flavored with rosewater.

The mother corms can be stored in cool, dry places in paper bags till it is time to plant them with the fall rains. Kids love to find the mature bulbs and corms with the babies lightly adhering to their sides. Each one will make new plants that come into their flowering time more quickly than is possible by seed.