Wild Hyacinth

Wild Hyacinth (Dichelostemma capitatum) are pretty native spring flowers.. They are widely distributed within California and are frequently seen in open, grassy areas where the long, leafless stems bounce balls of blue- violet flowers above the surrounding vegetation.

Native Americans actively managed the Wild Hyacinth like a crop. The corms were harvested after seeds had been shed. Only the larger corms were harvested, the smaller, younger cormlets were replanted for future harvest at a larger size. Sometimes the soil was cultivated to encourage seeds to sprout, and even burned, to reduce competing surface plants.