Allium membranaceum[1] is an uncommon species of wild onion known by the common name papery onion. It is endemic to California, where it grows in wooded areas in the southernmost Cascade Range, the northern Coast Ranges, and the Sierra Nevada foothills from Tulare County to Humboldt County. It is found on wooded slopes at elevations of 200–1400 m.[2][3][4]

Papery onion
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Allioideae
Genus: Allium
Species:
A. membranaceum
Binomial name
Allium membranaceum

Allium membranaceum grows from an egg-shaped bulb up to 1.7 cm 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 inflorescence contains up to 35 flowers with white or pale pink tepals which become papery as they age. Anthers and pollen are yellow.[2][5][6]

References

edit
  1. ^ Traub, Hamilton Paul. 1972. Plant Life 28: 63.
  2. ^ a b "Allium membranaceum in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  3. ^ BONAP (Biota of North America Program) floristic synthesis, Allium membranaceum
  4. ^ "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  5. ^ Jepson Manual Treatment
  6. ^ Photo gallery