Dichelostemma ida-maia, commonly known as Firecracker Flower, is a deciduous perennial herb native to the chaparral, oak woodlands, and mixed evergreen forests of California and Oregon. It typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) with a similar spread. The plant features a tall, leafless stem that gives way to an umbel of six to twenty tubular flowers, each 2-3 centimeters long, blooming in late spring to early summer. The flowers are a striking crimson red with a shiny white underside that becomes visible as the tips of the flower lobes curl back, creating a corona around the mouth of the tube. This unique flowering structure is highly attractive to hummingbirds, which are the primary pollinators.

The Firecracker Flower is valued for its vibrant, showy flowers that add a burst of color to garden settings. It is often used in wildflower gardens, borders, and naturalized areas. The plant is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water gardens. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade, and prefers well-drained soils. While generally low-maintenance, it is important to avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot. There are no major disease or pest issues, but snails and slugs may occasionally feed on the foliage.CC BY-SA 4.0