Triteleia grandiflora aka Wild Hyacinth

Triteleia grandiflora is a corm-forming perennial in the asparagus family, Asparagaceae. Common names include wild hyacinth and largeflower triteleia. Its native range spans western North America. Kew places it from southwestern Canada to southwestern Colorado and northern California. It grows in a temperate climate. Wild plants occur in meadows, rocky ground, and open woods. They grow in valleys, on hills, and in mountains. Records reach about 8,860 feet [2,700 metres] above sea level.

Plants reach about 2.3 feet [0.7 metres] tall. They form clumps with limited spread in cultivation. Wild patches can cover much larger areas. A corm, a swollen stem base, stores reserves underground. Growth starts in spring and dies back by summer. This leaves a dormant period after the growing season. The plant flowers from May to July. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers.

Choose an open, sunny site rather than shade. A warm, well-sheltered bed suits this plant. PFAF also lists sites beside east-facing and south-facing walls. Use rich, sandy loam that drains well. Sandy and loamy soils both suit it. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soil. Give it ample moisture while it grows. Follow this with warm, dry conditions in late summer and autumn. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 4–8 and reports frost tolerance.

The corms are edible raw or cooked. PFAF calls these underground parts bulbs in its food notes. They have a sweet, nut-like taste and can replace potatoes. Slow roasting for about an hour brings out their sweetness. Young seedpods can also serve as cooked greens. These food uses give the plant a place in edible beds. PFAF records no known hazards, medicinal uses, or other uses. That hazard statement does not establish safety for pets.

Seeds offer a way to raise new plants. Sow ripe seed promptly in a cold frame, or sow in spring. At 59°F [15°C], germination takes about one to three months. Sow thinly and keep seedlings in their first pot for a year. Young plants can suffer from damping off. Good air flow and care with watering help reduce this risk. During dormancy, move the small corms into pots. Grow them under glass before planting them outside.