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pitted onion

Scientific Name: Allium lacunosum var. micranthum

Family: Liliaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Allium lacunosum: The Pitted Onion

Allium lacunosum, commonly known as the pitted onion, is a fascinating species of wild onion native to California.

Considerations for Pets

  • As a member of the onion family, Allium lacunosum may contain compounds that could be harmful if ingested by pets.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Allium lacunosum S. Watson
  • Common Name: Pitted onion
  • Family: Alliaceae (Onion family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Synonyms/Subspecies:
    • Allium lacunosum S. Watson var. davisiae (M.E. Jones) D. McNeal & F. Ownbey
    • Allium lacunosum var. lacunosum S. Watson

Distribution and Habitat

  • Allium lacunosum is endemic to California.
  • It is commonly found in the flora of California.
  • Specifically, Allium lacunosum ssp. lacunosum is found only on serpentine soils in the Coast Ranges of Central and Southern California.
  • Grows on rocky hillsides and meadows in Southern California.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Pitted onion is a small wild onion.
  • Flowers can be white or pale pink with dark veins running down the center of each petal.
  • Allium lacunosum can reach a medium height of about 30cm.

Common Names

  • Pitted Onion
  • Taper tipped onion, Tapertip onion
  • Narrow leaved onion, Narrowleaf onion
  • Small flowered pitted onion, White fringed onion
  • Early onion, Sierra onion, Sierra onion
  • Red skinned onion, Pitted onion, Pitted onion
  • Peninsular onion, Peninsular onion, Fringed onion

Further Information

  • Discover Life offers information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Allium lacunosum.
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • Dave's Garden