Allium bolanderi

Allium bolanderi is a species of wild onion known by the common name Bolander's onion. It is native to the mountains of northern California and southern Oregon, where it grows in rocky habitat.

Description

Allium bolanderi is a perennial herb growing from a small bulb and producing a naked green stem up to about 30 centimeters tall. The stem is surrounded by two to four long, flat leaves that wither away by flowering time. The inflorescence contains up to 30 flowers, each just under a centimeter wide. The flower is bell-shaped with six tepals in shades of pink to magenta, each with a darker midvein.

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Sereno Watson in 1879. The specific epithet, bolanderi, honors Henry Nicholas Bolander, a German-American botanist who collected extensively in California.

Distribution and habitat

Allium bolanderi is found in the mountains of northern California and southern Oregon. It prefers rocky habitats, often growing in crevices in cliffs and on rocky slopes.

Cultivation

While not commonly cultivated, Allium bolanderi can be grown in a rock garden or alpine house. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun.

Uses

The bulbs of Allium bolanderi were traditionally used by Native American tribes as a food source. They were often cooked or dried for storage.

Conservation

Allium bolanderi is not currently considered threatened or endangered. However, like all wild plants, it should be protected and its habitat preserved.

See also

• List of Allium species
• Flora of California
• Flora of Oregon

External links

• Calflora Database: Allium bolanderi (Bolander's onion)
• USDA Plants Profile for Allium bolanderi (Bolander's onion)
• Jepson Manual Treatment of Allium bolanderi