brodiaea

[ broh-dee-ee-uh ]

/ ˌbroʊ diˈi ə /

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noun

any of several plants belonging to the genus Brodiaea, of the amaryllis family, native to western North America, having grasslike basal leaves and clusters of usually purplish flowers.

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Origin of brodiaea

<New Latin (1810), named after James Brodie (1744–1824), Scottish botanist; see -aea

Words nearby brodiaea

Brockville, Brocot escapement, broddle, Broderick, broderie anglaise, brodiaea, brodie, Brodie's abscess, Brodmann's area, Brodsky, Broederbond

How to use brodiaea in a sentence

There are four kinds of Bloomeria, all Californian, resembling Brodiaea, but the stamens unlike.
Field Book of Western Wild Flowers|Margaret Armstrong
This looks very much like Golden Brodiaea, but the latter has no cup at the base of the stamens.
Field Book of Western Wild Flowers|Margaret Armstrong
There are several kinds of Muilla, much like Brodiaea and very much like Allium, but with no onion taste or smell.
Field Book of Western Wild Flowers|Margaret Armstrong
There are many kinds of Brodiaea, among the prettiest western flowers.
Field Book of Western Wild Flowers|Margaret Armstrong

Kroeber thinks that the description indicates the wild onion (Brodiaea), called putcu in Coast Miwok, and this is not improbable.
Francis Drake and the California Indians, 1579|Robert F. Heizer