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plains onion

Scientific Name: Allium perdulce

Family: Liliaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Allium perdulce: Plains Onion

Allium perdulce, commonly known as plains onion, is a species of wild onion.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Allium perdulce S.V. Fraser
  • Variety: Allium perdulce var. perdulce S.V. Fraser
  • Family: (Implied) Alliaceae (based on it being an Allium species)

Distribution and Habitat

  • The plains onion is native to Texas and other regions. One source specifically mentions Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a).
  • It is found in Chicagoland, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missi, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Kansas.
  • Specific regions within Texas where wild onions, including Allium perdulce, are found include: South Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Rolling Plains, and High Plains.
  • The text also mentions "Oniontown" outside of Dover Plains, in the Harlem Valley on the eastern flank of Dutchess County.

Morphological Characteristics

  • The text mentions a graminoid to 20 cm with tough and wiry grass-like leaves.
  • The six-petalled flowers are pink with a yellow centre and dark striations and appear near the base.

Uses and Mentions

  • High Plains Onion Pie is mentioned, suggesting a culinary use.
  • Onion powder is mentioned as a substitute for fresh onions in cooking.
  • The text mentions growing Bermuda onions in north central Texas and the West Texas plains, potentially in relation to Allium perdulce cultivation or historical significance.

Ecological Role

  • The High Plains IPM Guide mentions onion maggot as uncommon in the High Plains, but it is stated that they prefer soils that have.
  • The text also mentions the use of "wormwood, adenosine cyclic phosphate, epinephrine, corticotropin, onion, ambrosia artemisiifolia, c" to relieve allergies common in the U.S. Plains.

Related Species

  • Mentioned in proximity is the Allegheny onion, Allium allegheniense, and the textile onion, Allium textile.
  • Dozens of cultivars of the onion (Allium cepa) are also mentioned.

Further Information

  • Discover Life has a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution of Allium perdulce.
  • The High Plains IPM Guide provides information on onion diseases and IPM strategies.