# large-flowered triteleia (*Triteleia grandiflora*)

The large-flowered triteleia is a beautiful flower with big, star-shaped blooms. It grows in sunny places and adds bright colors to gardens and fields during springtime.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 3
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![large-flowered triteleia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Triteleia_grandiflora_9543.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Triteleia_grandiflora_9543.JPG)

## Appearance

The large-flowered triteleia has stunning bell-shaped flowers, typically in shades of violet-blue, purple, or white. Each flower forms an open cup with six prominent tepals, often featuring a darker central stripe, distinguishing it from many flatter meadow flowers.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Asparagales
- **Family:** Asparagaceae
- **Genus:** Triteleia

## Interesting facts

- Its bulbs were once a vital food source for Native American tribes!
- Look closely for tiny veins on its petals, guiding bees directly to nectar!
- The genus name "Triteleia" means "threefold," referring to its flower parts!
- This beautiful flower can grow wild in rocky meadows and open woodlands.

## Special abilities

- **Water Hoarder:** large-flowered triteleia has a deep bulb that stores water and nutrients, helping it survive dry summer conditions.
- **Pollinator Magnet:** large-flowered triteleia produces nectar in its trumpet-shaped flowers, attracting specific bees for efficient pollination.
- **Seed Spreader:** large-flowered triteleia develops seed capsules that burst open, scattering many tiny seeds to spread its population.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 20-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 2-4 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late Spring to Early Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Western Bumblebee (*Bombus occidentalis*) — collects nectar and pollen from its flowers
- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — visits flowers for nectar and pollen collection
- **Eaten by:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — may consume bulbs or seeds
- **Eaten by:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — historically ate its nutrient-rich bulbs

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult first.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify large-flowered triteleia?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is large-flowered triteleia?

20-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on large-flowered triteleia?

2-4 cm

### When does large-flowered triteleia bloom?

Late Spring to Early Summer

### Is large-flowered triteleia edible?

Yes

### Is large-flowered triteleia toxic?

None

### What is large-flowered triteleia's lifecycle?

Perennial

### How is large-flowered triteleia pollinated?

Insect

## Where to spot

- [Lake Missoula](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-missoula) — Montana, US · Natural Landmark
- [Nine Mile Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nine-mile-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site
- [American Camp - San Juan Island National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-camp-san-juan-island-national-historical-park) — Washington, US · Park

[View all places to see large-flowered triteleia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/large-flowered-triteleia)

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

---

Source: [Large-flowered Triteleia: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/large-flowered-triteleia)