Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Allium tolmiei is a species of wild onion native to the northwestern United States, and found in Lassen, Trinity and Modoc counties in California. It has white or pink flowers, and thick curving green leaves. Allium is the onion genus, with 600-750 species, making it one of the largest plant genera in the world. Tolmie's Onion is one of them. William Fraser Tolmie (aka "Dr. Tolmie") (February 3, 1812 - December 8, 1886) was a Canadian surgeon, fur trader, scientist, and politician. He was born in Inverness, Scotland in 1812 and by 1833 moved to the Pacific Northwest in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). Plants bearing his name include Tolmie's star-tulip (Calochortus tolmiei) and Tolmie's onion (Allium tolmiei).

Plant type

Perennial herb, Geophyte

Size

1 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast

Calscape icon
Color

Red, Pink, White

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Moderate

Soil drainage

Slow

Soil description

Adaptable, tolerant of sand, loam and clay.

Site type

Rocky clay flats

Plant communities

Sagebrush Scrub

Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 11 likely

Confirmed Likely

Ipsilon Dart

Agrotis ipsilon

The Nutmeg

Anarta trifolii

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica