Blue Dicks
Dipterostemon capitatus
Blue dicks are a plant that is hardly noticeable except in early to late spring when the blue-purple flowers are on display. The dense flower clusters, usually containing 2-15 flowers in number, rest atop a long, leafless stem. The plant does have 2-3 small leaves around its base, which are 10-40 centimeters long. The plant itself grows from corms — specialized underground stems, much like bulbs — which allow the plant to go dormant when under stress.
Basic Information
Member of Themidaceae, the brodiaea family of cluster-liles
There are three recognized subspecies:
D. capitatus subsp. lacuna-vernalis,
Dipterostemon capitatus subsp. capitatus
Dipterostemon capitatum subsp. pauciflorus
Habitat
Native to Arizona, California, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico, and northern Mexico
Found in open places, such as meadows, grasslands, glades in mixed chaparral or coastal brush sage, canyons, and mesas
Ecological Role
The plant’s corms are rich in carbohydrates and a tasty food source for a variety of animals, such bears, deer, and pocket gophers
a common post-fire succession species in chaparral
Reproduction
The flowers bloom from February - May
Pollinated by hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees
Alternative Names
Blue Dips, Vernal Pool Blue Dicks, Bluedicks, Wildhyacinth, Purplehead, wild hyacinth, cluster-lily, school bells
Historical Uses
Native Americans made a preparation of the roots to treat burns and stomach aches
Eaten raw or cooked by native Americans. For some Californian tribes, blue dick corms may have been a more important food source than acorns
