SafePlants

Dotted Onion (Allium punctum)

The Allium punctum, also known as the dotted onion, is a wild onion species native to the western United States, particularly in and around the Modoc Plateau.

Considerations for Pets and Children

• This plant is an Allium species. Other members of this genus (e.g. onions, garlic, chives, leeks, shallots) are known to be toxic to some animals, especially dogs and cats.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Allium punctum
• Common Name: Dotted onion
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Synonym: Allium punctum L.F. Hend.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the western United States, particularly the Modoc Plateau region.

Morphology and Growth Habits

• The dotted onion is a forb/herb, meaning it's a non-woody plant that isn't a grass.
• It is a perennial, meaning the aerial parts of the plant typically dry out during the coldest periods and regrow in the spring.

Quirky Facts

• The text mentions "onion skin abstraction" in the context of image processing, indicating a pattern or visual effect that resembles the layers of an onion.
• The plant is mentioned in the context of an Aboriginal dot painting tradition, "Yalka Tjukurrpa (Bush Onion)", suggesting it has cultural significance in some communities.

Further Information

• Discover Life offers a page dedicated to the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Allium punctum.