Brodiaea

/broʊˈdaɪ.ə/ noun

Definition

A genus of bulbous plants native to western North America, known for their colorful clustered flowers.

Etymology

Named after James Brodie, a Scottish botanist and mycologist, using the Latinized naming convention for plant genera with the suffix '-aea.'

Kelly Says

Brodiaea bulbs were actually a major food source for California Native Americans who harvested and roasted them long before European botanists named them—the plant itself had been sustaining entire ecosystems and cultures for thousands of years before getting a scientific name.

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