Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Allium platycaule is a species of wild onion known by the common name broadstemmed onion or flat-stem onion. It is native to northeastern California and nearby parts of Oregon and Nevada where it is found on slopes of some elevation. This onion grows from a gray bulb two to three centimeters wide and has a flattened stem which may bulge in the middle and narrow to thin wings along the sides. The long, flat leaves are sickle-shaped. Atop the stem is an flower cluster which may have as many as 90 flowers in it. Each flower may be up to a centimeter and a half wide but the petals are quite narrow so as to be almost threadlike. The flower cluster therefore may be a dense ball of filaments. The flowers are generally bright pink to magenta. The leaves, bulbs, and seeds were utilized as food by the Paiute people.

Plant type

Perennial herb, Geophyte

Calscape icon
Color

Pink

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Moderate

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast

Sunset Zones

1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

Site type

Rocky or sandy slopes

Plant communities

Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Sagebrush Scrub, Yellow Pine Forest

Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 13 likely

Confirmed Likely

Ipsilon Dart

Agrotis ipsilon

Rascal Dart

Agrotis malefida

The Nutmeg

Anarta trifolii