The bulbous plant, brodiaea, bears flowers which have equal numbers of sepals and petals which are found to be three of each kind. The sepals are also of the same colour as the petals which gives an impression that brodiaea contains six petals and no sepals at all. The flowers are usually purple in colour and they attract a number of insects which help in the pollination of the plant. The plant belongs to the family of ‘liliaceae’ and is also known by another name, ‘clusterlilies’.

This perennial plant bears leaves which dry up before the flowers bloom so that the flowers cluster at the terminal end of a long erect stalk which is devoid of any leaves. The flowers appear in May and June and in most cases, the plants flower only after the first 4-5 years. Brodiaea can grow to a height of 1 foot and is found in pools and wet grasslands and is widely grown in the United States.

The bulbs are a special delicacy of the American people who love to consume them because of their nutty flavour.