SafePlants

Allium textile: Prairie Onion or Textile Onion

Allium textile, commonly known as prairie onion or textile onion, is a widespread species of wild onion found in central North America.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is a bulb-producing plant.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Allium textile A. Nelson &amp J.F. Macbr.
• Common Names: Prairie onion, textile onion, wild onion, plains onion, early onion.
• Family: Alliaceae (Onion Family) or Liliaceae (Lily Family)
• Synonyms:
  • Allium aridum Rydb.
  • Allium geyeri var. textile (A. Nelson et J. F. Macbr.) B. Boivin
  • Allium reticulatum Fraser ex G. Don
  • Allium angulosum Pursh, nom. illeg.
• "Alli" is the classical Latin name for garlic and onion plants.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the central part of North America.
• Found in Durango, Colorado.
• Also found in Canyon Country, Utah.
• Sightings in Minnesota are recorded.

Morphological Characteristics

• Perennial herb growing from rhizomes, bulbs, or corms.
• Grows to a height of 0.2 meters (0ft 8in).
• Leaves have parallel veins and are mainly alternate.
• Flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs).
• Produces a 1-inch round cluster of 15 to 30 white 6-petaled flowers that are -inch long.
• Leaves are long and very narrow, ranging from 8-25cm in size.

Flowering Period

• Flowers from May to July.
• Blooms primarily in May and June.

Traditional Uses

• Used as domestic onions, for seasoning, or raw in salads.
• The dry outer skins of onions can be used for coloring natural textile materials and Easter eggs.
• Red onion skins can be used as a natural dye for textiles.

Hardiness

• Hardy to zone (UK) 6.

Further Information

• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database.
• Discover Life.
• Dave's Garden.