Alliaceae: Onion Family
Sierra Onion – Allium campanulatum
Blooms:
Mar–Oct
Plant Height:
16–30 cm
Flower Size:
Small
Origin:
Native
Habitat:
Dry mountain slopes above 600 m
Notes:
A comparatively small plant, with leaves that are usually withered by the time of flowering. The striking flowers are rose to purple, with a darker purple crescent at the base of each petal.
Crinkled Onion – Allium crispum
Blooms:
Mar–May
Plant Height:
15–35 cm
Flower Size:
Medium
Origin:
Native
Habitat:
Heavy soil on inland hills
Notes:
Distinguished by the toothed, curled (“crisped”) margins of the inner petals. The deep rose-purple flowers are in open umbels. It has 2 or 3 leaves, which are shorter than the stem.
Hickman’s Onion – Allium hickmanii
Blooms:
Mar–May
Plant Height:
5–17 cm
Flower Size:
Medium
Origin:
Native
Rare or endangered
Rare – 1b.2
Habitat:
Moist grassland near coast
Notes:
This is usually much smaller than its reported maximum 17 cm, and can be challenging to spot in long grass. Petals are white to pink, about equal in size. It has1 or 2 narrow leaves, often longer than the stem. Photo #2 by CJH.
Three-cornered Onion – Allium triquetrum
Blooms:
Mar–Apr
Plant Height:
10–40 cm
Flower Size:
Small
Origin:
Europe
Habitat:
Woodland, moist places
Notes:
This is a very common garden escape, distinguished by its bright white flowers. There is a dark green stripe in the center of each petal, and the stem is sharply triangular. Photo #2 by CJH.
One-leaved Onion – Allium unifolium
Blooms:
May–June
Plant Height:
10–80 cm
Flower Size:
Medium
Origin:
Native
Habitat:
Moist places
Notes:
Despite its name, this onion has 2–3 leaves, which are shorter than the stem. The inflorescence has 14–35 flowers, with pink or white petals. The flowers are 11–15 mm long, with 6 ovary crests in 3 pairs, separated by a longitudinal ridge. Photo #4 by CJH.
