Its only species is Dipterostemon capitatus, synonym Dichelostemma capitatum,[2] known by the common names blue dicks, wild hyacinth,[3] purplehead and brodiaea (alternately spelled brodiea and brodeia[4]), native to the Western United States (particularly Arizona, California, Oregon, Utah, and New Mexico) and northwest Mexico.

Flowers have six fertile stamens, deeply notched, lanceolate, white, angled inward, slightly reflexed at tip, with outer filaments wider at the base.

It has a twisted and fleshy peduncle, a set of membranous, petal-like stamen appendages around the anthers, and angular black seeds.

[6] Plants thrive in open disturbed environments, and are a common post-fire succession species in chaparral.

It inhabits a wide variety of plant communities, including vernal pools, valley grassland, scrub, coniferous forests, and open woodlands.

Suppression of fire may cause increased shade and plant competition and decrease population numbers of D. capitatus.

[13] Three subspecies are accepted:[1] Corms have been gathered by Native Americans in California, parts of the Great Basin, and the Southwest.

Corms are eaten by animals such as black bears, mule deer, non-native wild pigs, rabbits, and pocket gophers.