Allium abramsii is a species of wild onion known by the common name Abrams' onion. It is endemic to the central Sierra Nevada in California, where it grows in the coniferous forest understory in granite sand soils. This onion grows from one or more bulbs each just over a centimeter wide attached to a thick rhizome. It reaches a maximum height of about 15 centimeters with usually one curving cylindrical leaf. The flower cluster contains up to 40 pink or purplish flowers with lance-shaped petals.

Allium acuminatum , also known as the tapertip onion or Hooker's onion, a species in the genus Allium and is native to the Western United States and Canada. Its bulbs are small and spherical and smell like onions. The flowers are pink to purple on a long stem which appear after the leaves have died. The onions were eaten by first peoples in southern British Columbia. They were harvested in either early spring or late fall and usually cooked in pits.

Allium amplectens is a species of wild onion known by the common name narrowleaf onion. It is native to western North America where it grows in woods and especially in clay and serpentine soils. It grows from a pinkish-brown bulb and sends up a naked green stem topped with an flower cluster. When closed the flower cluster is wrapped in bright pink to magenta leafs. It opens to produce between 10 and 50 shiny white to pale pink flowers, each under a centimeter wide. The six stout stamens and the ovary are white or tinted pink or lavender. It is a fairly widespread species.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Allium anceps, known by the common names twinleaf onion and Kellogg's onion, is an onion that is native to the Great Basin of North America. It is widespread in Nevada and adjacent portions of California, Idaho and Oregon. It grows in relatively small and isolated areas, but growth is typically dense, often to the exclusion of all other vegetation. It has two flat and narrow leaves which first appear in late winter, and grow up to 10 centimeter in length. It has a pink or purple flower head which grows on a separate stalk starting in mid-spring. By early summer the above-ground portions of the plant die, and there is little evidence of the plant's existence throughout much of the year. The bulb is white with a yellow or brown husk, and approximately 1 centimeter in diameter. It is edible, although it has a strong oniony taste.

Allium atrorubens is a species of wild onion known by the common name dark red onion. This plant is native to the southwestern United States where it grows in the sandy soils of the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin and higher-elevation deserts in Nevada, eastern California (San Bernardino, Kern, Mono, Inyo and Lassen Counties) southwestern Utah (Kane, Millard and Beaver Counties), northwestern Arizona (Mohave and Coconino Counties). Allium atrorubens grows from a reddish-brown bulb 1-1. 5 cm (0. 4-0. 6 in) across. The stem is short and is surrounded by few coiled tubular leaves. Atop the stem is an inflorescence of up to 50 flowers. Each flower has six shiny, iridescent, sharply triangular tepals with dark midveins. The tepals are usually magenta to maroon but are lighter pink or white occasionally. Each flower is about 1 cm (0. 4 in) wide.

Allium bisceptrum, also known as the twincrest onion, is a high elevation plant native to western United States. It is a perennial that thrives under damp and shady conditions or open meadows in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Utah. Allium bisceptrum is used sometimes as food flavoring as their leaves may be very strong and odorous. Natives pray before picking the leaves of this plant. Many animals in the region, including elk, black bears and prairie dogs eat the bulbs of the wild onions. In California, A. bisceptrum is distributed throughout the counties of Alpine, El Dorado, Glenn, Inyo, Lassen, Mendocino, Mono, Modoc, Mariposa, Nevada, Plumas, San Bernardino, San Diego, Shasta, Sierra, Trinity, Tulare, and Tuolumne. It is also widely distributed in Nevada, Utah, Arizona, southeastern Oregon, and southern Idaho with isolated populations reported from northern Idaho and from southeastern Washington (Franklin County). The twincrest onion is a perennial at altitudes ranging from 2000 to 2900 meters. They grow up to anywhere between ten to forty cm high. The onion bulbs are round and egg-shaped. The bulbs have a light tint and when cut, has a powerful odor. Their flower heads are about 10-15 mm in length. The flowers are a lightly tinted purple. Each flower head contains usually six petals with pointed tips. Their flat leaves usually come in pairs of two or three and give off an odor when scratched. Habitat and ecology. Allium bisceptrum is found in forests dominated by yellow pine, red fir, and lodgepole pine, and wetland-riparian habitats in California. The twincrest onion thrives near streambanks and meadows. It is also likely to occur in wetlands.

Allium bolanderi is a species of wild onion known by the common name Bolander's onion. It is native to northern California and southwestern Oregon, where it grows in the rocky soils of the Klamath Mountains and surrounding regions. Allium bolanderi grows from an oval-shaped bulb up to 2 centimeters long with associated rhizomes. The stem reaches about 35 centimeters in maximum height and there are two or three long, cylindrical leaves about the same length as the stem. The inflorescence contains 10 to 20 reddish-purple, or occasionally white, flowers, each with very finely toothed tepals.

Allium burlewii is a species of wild onion known by the common name Burlew's onion. It is endemic to California, where grows in the granitic soils of several of the central and southern mountain ranges. This is a short-stemmed onion, growing to heights of just a few centimeters from an oval-shaped bulb. It sprouts a single long, pointed onion leaf. The flower cluster contains up to 20 dark-veined purple flowers each up to a centimeter long with dark purple anthers.

Allium campanulatum is a species of wild onion known by the common name dusky onion. This is a flowering plant native to the western United States from Washington to California as well as Nevada. The dusky onion grows from a gray-brown bulb one to two centimeters wide which may extend tiny rhizomes and produce small daughter bulblets. It rises on a stout stem and has usually two long, drooping onion leaves. Atop the stem is an flower cluster of 10 to 50 flowers. Each flower is half a centimeter to one centimeter wide and is pink, purple, or less often white, and each tepal has a dark-colored base. The petals are variable in shape, from narrow and very pointy to spade-shaped. The dusky onion grows in low mountains, especially in dry areas.

Allium cratericola is a species of wild onion known by the common name Cascade onion. It is endemic to California, where is an uncommon member of the flora in several of the state's mountain ranges. This onion grows a short stem up to 10 centimeters tall from a brown-coated oval-shaped bulb. There are one or two long, pointed leaves up to four times the length of the stem. The flower cluster contains up to 20 rosy pink flowers clustered densely together.

Allium crispum is a species of wild onion known by the common name crinkled onion. It is endemic to California, USA, where it grows along the Central Coast, often in clays and serpentine soils. This onion grows from a bulb one to one and a half centimeters wide and sends up naked green stems topped with flower clusters of many flowers, each on a short pedicel. The flowers are magenta in color and have six triangular petals. The inner three petals are smaller and crinkled like cloth and may curl under.

Allium denticulatum is a species of wild onion known by the common name toothed wild onion. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the western Mojave Desert and adjacent Tehachapi Mountains and the southern Sierra Nevada. This onion grows from a reddish brown spherical to oval-shaped bulb just over a centimeter long. It produces a stem up to 18 centimeters tall and a single cylindrical leaf up to twice as long as the stem. The flower cluster contains up to 30 flowers with deep pink to purplish petals which are toothed at their tips.

Allium diabolense is a species of wild onion known by the common name serpentine onion. It is endemic to central California, where it is known from the southern Coast Ranges and the Transverse Ranges. This onion grows from a reddish brown bulb just over a centimeter long. It produces a stem up to 20 centimeters tall and one leaf which is longer than the stem. The flower cluster contains up to 50 dark veined pink-tinted white flowers.

Allium dichlamydeum is a species of wild onion known by the common name coastal onion. It is endemic to California where it grows on sea cliffs on the coastline in the northern half of the state. The coastal onion grows from a brown or gray bulb one to one and a half centimeters wide. It has a stout naked green stem surrounded by 3 to 6 long onion leaves. Atop the thick stem is an flower cluster of five to 30 flowers. Each flower has six oval-shaped dull-pointed petals in shades of bright magenta to fuchsia and each flower is about a centimeter wide.

Allium falcifolium is a species of wild onion known by the common name scytheleaf onion. It is native to northern California and southern Oregon, where it grows in heavy, rocky soils, especially serpentine soils. The scytheleaf onion grows from a reddish-brown bulb one to two centimeters wide. The reddish or yellowish green stem is flattened such that it is thick in the center and thin along the edges. There are usually two leaves, which, as its common name suggests, are curved like the blade of a scythe The stem is short and topped with an flower cluster of 10 to 30 flowers, each of which is one to one and a half centimeters wide. Each flower has six pinkish, red-purple, or white-streaked purple petals.

Allium fimbriatum is a species of wild onion known by the common name fringed onion. It is native to California and Baja California. The fringed onion grows from a reddish-brown bulb one to two centimeters wide and sends up a naked brown or green stem. Atop the stem is an flower cluster of up to 75 flowers, each just under a centimeter wide on average. The flowers are variable in color, from pink to purple and often with white areas. The petals are also variable in shape, from narrow and pointy to spade-shaped. There are several distinct varieties of the species as well.

Fringed Onion (Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in dry slopes and flats, at elevations from 1000-8900 feet.

Purdy's Onion (Allium fimbriatum var. purdyi) is a rare native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the North Coast and North Coast Range regions. It tends to grow in dry slopes and flats, at elevations from 1000-8900 feet.

Allium haematochiton is a North American species of wild onion known by the common name redskin onion. It is native to northern Baja California, Sonora, and southern California as far north as Kern County. It grows on the slopes of the hills and mountains, such as those of the Peninsular Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and southern California Coast Ranges. . Allium haematochiton has a small rhizome associated with clusters of brightly colored red bulbs. From these grow several naked green stems, each with a few withering, curling leaves. Atop each stem is an inflorescence of several flowers, each on a short pedicel. Each flower is just under a centimeter wide and white to pinkish with dark midveins. There are six stout stamens around a white or pink ovary. USDA Plants Profile 

Allium hickmanii is a rare species of wild onion known by the common name Hickman's onion. It is endemic to California, where it is known from Monterey, Sonoma, Kern, and San Luis Obispo Counties. Allium hickmanii grows from a pale brown or gray bulb about a centimeter long and produces a stem up to 17 centimeters tall. There are generally two long, cylindrical leaves which are longer than the stem. The inflorescence holds up to about 15 white or pinkish flowers each less than a centimeter long.

Allium hoffmanii is a species of wild onion known by the common name beegum onion. It is endemic to northern California, where it grows in the serpentine soils of the local mountain ranges. This onion grows a short stem up to about 10 centimeters tall from a brown or reddish bulb one or two centimeters long. There is generally a single leaf which may be longer than the stem. The flower cluster is packed with up to 40 flowers, each about a centimeter long and pink or purple in color with greenish veining. The protruding stamens are bumpy at their bases and have purple anthers at the tips.

Allium howellii is a species of wild onion known by the common name Howell's onion. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the granite and serpentine soils of several of the local mountain ranges, hills, and valleys. This is a tall onion plant, producing a stem which may exceed half a meter in height from a reddish-brown bulb one to two centimeters long. There is a single cylindrical leaf about as long as the stem. The flower cluster holds up to 100 dark-veined lavender to white flowers, each under a centimeter long.

Mt. Pinos Onion (Allium howellii var. clokeyi) is a rare native perennial herb that grows in Southern and Central California, primarily in the Transverse Range region. It tends to grow in granitic soils, at elevations from 700-6100 feet.

Howell's Onion (Allium howellii var. howellii) is a common native perennial herb that grows in central California. It tends to grow in granitic soils, at elevations from 700-6100 feet.

Allium hyalinum is a species of wild onion known by the common name glassy onion. It is endemic to California, where it is a common species of the San Joaquin Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills. The glassy onion grows from a cluster of bulbs, with each bulb sending up a tall stem. Atop each stem is an flower cluster of up to 25, but usually fewer, white or pink-tinted white flowers. The flowers have six shiny petals which become transparent as they age.

Allium jepsonii is a species of wild onion known by the common name Jepson's onion. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada foothills of central California. This onion grows to a height between about 20 and 40 centimeters from one or two oval-shaped bulbs. There is a single cylindrical leaf which is about the same length as the stem. The flower cluster holds 20 to 60 small flowers, each under a centimeter long with pink-veined white petals with curling tips.

Allium lacunosum is a species of wild onion known by the common name pitted onion. It is endemic to California, where it is a common member of the flora in many types of habitat, from bayside to mountain to desert. This onion grows from a thick-coated yellowish-brown bulb one or two centimeters long. The stem reaches up to about 35 centimeters in maximum height and there are usually two leaves which may be as long or longer than the stem. The flower cluster contains up to 45 dark-veined white to pale pink flowers, each less than a centimeter long. There are four varieties of this species, three of which are somewhat uncommon.

Pitted Onion (Allium lacunosum var. lacunosum) is a common native perennial herb that grows in southern and central California. It tends to grow in drive open slopes, at elevations from 200-6900 feet.

Allium lemmonii is a species of wild onion known by the common name Lemmon's onion. It is native to the western United States, particularly higher-elevation areas in the Great Basin. Lemmon's onion grows from a bulb one and a half to two centimeters wide and has a short, flattened stem which is thin along the edges. Atop the stem is an flower cluster of 10 to 40 flowers which may be white to pink. The stamens may be light or dark in color. The ovary has a distinctive ridged mound shape in which all of the ovary parts appear melded together. This is a common plant in its native range. It favors dry clay soils.

Allium haematochiton is a North American species of wild onion known by the common name redskin onion. It is native to northern Baja California, Sonora, and southern California as far north as Kern County. It grows on the slopes of the hills and mountains, such as those of the Peninsular Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and southern California Coast Ranges. Allium haematochiton has a small rhizome associated with clusters of brightly colored red bulbs. From these grow several naked green stems, each with a few withering, curling leaves. Allium haematochiton has a small rhizome associated with clusters of brightly colored red bulbs. From these grow several naked green stems, each with a few withering, curling leaves. Atop each stem is an inflorescence of several flowers, each on a short pedicel. Each flower is just under a centimeter wide and white to pinkish with dark midveins. There are six stout stamens around a white or pink ovary. USDA Plants Profile

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.

Allium monticola is an uncommon species of wild onion known by the common name San Bernardino Mountains onion. It is endemic to southern California, where it is found in the Transverse Ranges and the northernmost section of the Peninsular Ranges. It has been reported from San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Allium monticola generally grows in rocky areas at elevations 1400-3200 m. This onion grows from a bulb one or two centimeters long which often has daughter bulbs attached to it on stalks. The waxy stem reaches a maximum height near 25 centimeters and the single leaf may be a bit longer. The inflorescence contains up to about 25 flowers, each with tepals nearly two centimeters long and white or light pink with darker pink tips. Pollen and anthers are yellow.

Allium munzii is a rare species of wild onion known by the common name Munz's onion. It is endemic to western Riverside County, California, where it grows in the coastal sage scrub of the local hills and mountains at elevations of 400-900 m. It is known from only about fifteen occurrences and it is threatened by development of its habitat for human uses such as citrus agriculture and urbanization. It is a federally listed endangered species. Allium munzii is an onion that grows from a reddish brown bulb just over a centimeter long. It produces an erect stem up to about 35 centimeters in maximum height and a single leaf which is usually a bit longer. The umbel contains up to 35 flowers each under a centimeter long. They have tepals that are white with a dark green midvein, turning red with age. Pollen and anthers are yellow.

Allium nevadense is a species of wild onion known by the common name Nevada onion. It is native to the western United States where it grows in sand and rocky soil at elevations of 1400-1700 m. The species is widespread in Utah, Nevada and southern Idaho, and has been reported also from southeastern California (Inyo and San Bernardino Counties), northwestern Arizona (Mohave and Cochise Counties), western and central Colorado (Moffat, Garfield, Mesa and Boulder Counties) and eastern Oregon (Harney and Malheur Counties). The Nevada onion grows from a brown or gray bulb one to one and a half centimeters wide which may have one or two daughter bulblets associated with it. The stem may appear short if the bulb is more than a few inches below the surface of the ground. The stem is topped with an umbel of up to 25 flowers. The tepals may be white or pink-streaked with darker midveins; anthers purple; pollen yellow.

Allium obtusum is a species of wild onion known by the common name red Sierra onion. It is native to the granite hills and mountains of Nevada and eastern California where it is a common member of the local flora. The red Sierra onion grows from a bulb one or two centimeters wide and bears a stem which may be tall or short. Atop the stem is an flower cluster of up to 60 flowers which May 4 to 12 millimeters wide. The flowers are white to pink with dark midveins.

Red Sierra Onion (Allium obtusum var. conspicuum) is a common native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the Sierra Nevada Foothills and High Sierra Nevada regions. It tends to grow in granitic sands, at elevations from 2600-11500 feet.

Red Sierra Onion (Allium obtusum var. obtusum) is a common native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the High Cascade Range, the Sierra Nevada Foothills and High Sierra Nevada regions. It tends to grow in granitic sands, at elevations from 2600-11500 feet.

Allium parishii is an uncommon species of wild onion known by the common name Parish's onion. It is native to the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Deserts of California (San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego Counties) and Arizona (Yuma and Mohave Counties). It grows on open dry, rocky slopes at elevations of 900-1400 m. Allium parishii grows from a reddish brown bulb just over a centimeter long and produces a scape up to about 25 centimeters tall. There is a single cylindrical leaf which is generally longer than the stem. The umbel contains up to 25 dark-veined pale pink flowers with narrow tepals between one and two centimeters long. Anthers and pollen are yellow.

Allium parryi is a North American species of wild onion known by the common names Parry's onion and Parry's fringed onion. It is common in the Coast Ranges of southern California and northern Baja California. It is also known from the southernmost reaches of the Sierra Nevada. Allium parryi produceds a reddish brown bulb roughly a centimeter long. It produces a short stem up to a maximum height of about 20 centimeters and a single cylindrical leaf which is generally a bit longer. The inflorescence contains up to 50 pink-veined white flowers which turn darker pink as they age. Each flower has narrow tepals less than a centimeter long.

Allium parvum is a species of wild onion known by the common name small onion. It is native to the western United States where it is a common member of the flora in rocky, dry areas, especially in talus. This onion has a bulb one to two and a half centimeters wide and bears a relatively short stem for an onion species, reaching a maximum of 12 centimeters tall. The two leaves are sickle-shaped. Atop the stem is an flower cluster of fewer than 30 flowers, which are generally pale pink with prominent dark midveins. This plant was a food and flavoring for the Paiute people.

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

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.

Allium praecox is a species of wild onion known by the common name early onion. It is native to the coastal hills and mountains of southern California and Baja California, including the Channel Islands, where it grows in shady areas in clay soils. This onion grows from a brownish or grayish bulb between one and two centimeters long. It produces a stem up to 60 centimeters long and two or three long, keeled leaves about the same length or sometimes a little longer. The flower cluster holds up to 40 flowers, each on a long pedicel up to 4 centimeters long. The flowers are purple-veined pink and dry to a papery texture as they age.

Allium punctum is a species of wild onion known by the common name dotted onion or Modoc onion. It is native to the western United States in and around the Modoc Plateau in northeastern California (Modoc County), northwestern Nevada (Humboldt County), and southeastern Oregon (Malheur, Lake and Harney Counties). It is uncommon, growing volcanic flatlands created by old lava flows. Allium punctum grows from a yellow-brown to grayish oval-shaped bulb one or two centimeters wide. It produces a short stem no more than 10 centimeters tall and two sickle-shaped leaves which are usually a bit longer. The inflorescence bears up to 20 flowers which are white or pink with purple veining.

Allium sanbornii is a species of wild onion known by the common name Sanborn's onion. It is native to California and southern Oregon where it grows in the serpentine soils of the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada foothills. This onion grows from a reddish brown bulb up to about 2.5 centimeters long. It produces a stem up to 60 centimeters long and a single cylindrical leaf which is about the same length. The flower cluster bears as many as 150 small flowers, each with petals less than a centimeter long in shades of pink to white.

Congdon's Onion (Allium sanbornii var. congdonii) is a rare native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the Sierra Nevada Foothills region. It tends to grow in rocky outcrops, at elevations from 1000-4600 feet.

Sanborn's Onion (Allium sanbornii var. sanbornii) is a rare native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the Cascade Range Foothills and Sierra Nevada Foothill region. It tends to grow in rocky outcrops, at elevations from 1000-4600 feet.

Allium serra is a species of wild onion known by several common names, including jeweled onion, pom-pon onion, and serrated onion. It is endemic to northern California. It favors hard soils with rock and clay, including serpentine soil. The plant comes from a small herringbone-patterned bulb an average of one centimeter in diameter. It has a long stem on which it bears a tightly bunched flower cluster of flowers. The attractive bright pink flowers are thimble or bell-shaped, often iridescent when new and becoming papery as they dry.