Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Allium membranaceum is an uncommon species of wild onion known by the common name papery onion. It is endemic to northern California, where it grows in wooded areas in the southernmost Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada foothills. This onion grows from a bulb just over a centimeter long which is sometimes associated with a cluster of smaller bulbs. The stem reaches a maximum height near 40 centimeters and there are two or three long, flat leaves about the same length. The flower cluster contains up to 35 flowers with white or pale pink petals which become papery as they age.

Plant type

Perennial herb, Geophyte

Size

1 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

White, Pink

Sun

Partial Shade

Water

Moderate

Site type

Wooded slopes

Plant communities

Yellow Pine Forest

Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 8 likely

Confirmed Likely

Ipsilon Dart

Agrotis ipsilon

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica

Tessellate Dart

Euxoa tessellata