Taxon Report

Brodiaea matsonii R.E. Preston

Sulphur Creek brodiaea

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Brodiaea matsonii, commonly known as Sulphur Creek brodiaea, is a perennial bulbiferous herb in the Themidaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Cismontane woodland (streambanks), and Meadows and seeps, growing at elevations from 195 to 220 meters. Brodiaea matsonii is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Brodiaea matsonii R.E. Preston
Common Name:	Sulphur Creek brodiaea
Family:	Themidaceae
Element Code:	PMLIL0C0H0
USDA Plants Symbol:	BRMA7
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial bulbiferous herb
Blooming Period: May-Jun	May-Jun
Elevation:	195-220 (640-720)
General Habitats:	Cismontane woodland, Meadows and seeps
Microhabitat:	Rocky
Microhabitat Details:	metamorphic amphibolite schist

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.1
Global Rank:	G1
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S; SB_BerrySB
CRPR Changes:	added to 1B.1 on 2011-07-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	2
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	2
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	0

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Shasta (SHA)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Redding (4012254)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	9
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	2	100 %
Other	2	100%
Development	2	100%
Foot traffic/trampling	1	50%
Non-native plant impacts	1	50%
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime	1	50%
Over-collecting/poaching	1	50%
Surface water diversion	1	50%
Vandalism/dumping/litter	1	50%
Wood cutting or brush clearing	1	50%

Notes



Known from fewer than five occurrences in the vicinity of Sulphur Creek. Potentially threatened by powerline maintenance, foot traffic, and horticultural collecting. Possibly threatened by development and non-native plants. Similar to B. minor, B. nana, and B. pallida. Not in The Jepson Manual (1993) and TJM 2. See Madroño 57(4):261-267 (2010) for original description.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Proposed Addition to CRPR 1B.1, G1 / S1 (2011)

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 30 October 2025].