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Geyer's onion
Scientific Name: Allium geyeri
Family: Liliaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Geyer's Onion (Allium geyeri)
Geyer's Onion, scientifically known as Allium geyeri, is a North American species of onion found widely in the western United States and western Canada.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is an onion, which could be of concern to some pet owners.
Considerations for Children
- Native Americans are documented as using Geyer’s onion as a flavoring in soups and occasionally eating them raw.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Allium geyeri S. Watson
- Common Names: Geyer's Onion, Geyer's Wild Onion, Bulbil Onion
- Family: Alliaceae (Onion Family), Liliaceae (Lily Family), Amaryllidaceae
- Genus: Allium
- Synonyms: Allium dictyotum, Allium funiculosum, Allium rubrum
- Subspecies:
- Allium geyeri var. geyeri
- Allium geyeri var. tenerum
Distribution and Habitat
- Geyer's Onion is widespread in the western United States and western Canada.
- Specifically found in states such as Texas, Oregon, New Mexico, and Nevada.
- Commonly found from plains to subalpine areas, growing in moist meadows, along streams, and hillsides, and in open forests.
- Most of its range lies between the Cascade/Sierra axis.
Morphological Characteristics
- It is a bulb-forming plant, growing to approximately 0.5 meters (1 foot 8 inches) in height.
- The plant produces a thick green stalk with a few leaves at the base.
- Flowers from April to May. The flowers are hermaphrodite.
- Terminates in a compact, spherical umbel.
- Leaves are described as grass-like.
Traditional Uses
- Native Americans used Geyer's onion as a flavoring in soups, and sometimes ate them raw.
Additional Information
- Hardy to zone (UK) 7 and is not frost tender.
- Flowers are lavender or pink.
- The plant smells like onion.