Brodiaea elegans
Brodiaea elegans is a somewhat shorter bulbous perennial which grows to 50 cm tall. The plant has bright blue-purple to violet flowers arranged in a funnel shape and is distinguished by white pointed staminodes (sterile stamens) which stand against the tepals (petals).
Similar in size and shape to many other edible corms and bulbs, Brodiaea spp.’s most distinguishing feature is morphologic arrangement of roots in a ring between the widest part of the corm and the basal plate. Brodiaea spp. corms tend to be slightly larger in diameter than they are long.
Common among the cuisines of Californian groups (Anderson 2005), Brodiaea spp. consumption is mentioned in passing in the greater Northwest but there is little information on its use or preparation.
Meadows and open woods, mostly inland from Central California north to southern Oregon.