Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Allium peninsulare is a North American species of wild onion. It is known by such common names as Mexicali onion and Peninsula onion; the former referring to the Mexican city just south of the US/Mexican border, the latter referring to the Peninsula of Baja California. It is widespread in California, USA, where it grows in the California Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, some of the Channel Islands, and Peninsular Ranges. The range extends south into the northernmost part of Baja California and north into southern Oregon. Allium peninsulare is usually found in Valley Grassland, Foothill Woodland, and Coastal Chaparral at elevations up to 1100 m (3660 feet). The plant produces a bulb 8-15 mm wide and has two to three channeled to more or less cylindrical leaves. Between May and July, it sends up a 12-45 cm scape topped with an umbel of 5-35 flowers, each on an 0. 8-4 cm pedicel. The flowers are red-purple and have six triangular tepals. The three inner tepals are smaller than the outer ones and have teeth along the margins. Allium peninsulare is usually found in Valley Grassland, Foothill Woodland, and Coastal Chaparral at elevations up to 1100 m (3660 feet). The plant produces a bulb 8-15 mm wide and has two to three channeled to more or less cylindrical leaves. Between May and July, it sends up a 12-45 cm scape topped with an umbel of 5-35 flowers, each on an 0. 8-4 cm pedicel. The flowers are red-purple and have six triangular tepals. The three inner tepals are smaller than the outer ones and have teeth along the margins. Varieties: Allium peninsulare var. franciscanum --- leaves arched; stigma, unlobed or obscurely 3- lobed --- central California from Mendocino County to Monterey County, Allium peninsulare var. peninsulare - leaves straight, stigma strongly 3 - lobed --- widespread from Baja California to Oregon

Plant type

Perennial herb, Geophyte

Calscape icon
Color

Pink, Purple, Red

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Moderate

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Site type

Dry slopes and flats

Plant communities

Foothill Woodland, Valley Grassland

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 16 likely

Confirmed Likely

Ipsilon Dart

Agrotis ipsilon

The Nutmeg

Anarta trifolii

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica