Douglas' Onion

Bulbs 1–4, not clustered on stout, primary rhizomes, ovoid, 1.2–3 × 1–2 cm; outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, light brown, membranous, lacking cellular reticulation, or cells arranged in only 2–3 rows distal to roots, ± quadrate, without fibers; inner coats white, sometimes pink, cells obscure, quadrate or linear. Leaves usually persistent, green at anthesis, 2, basally sheathing, sheaths not extending much above soil surface; blade solid, flat, falcate, 9–28 cm × (2–)5–15 mm, margins entire. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, solid, terete, not expanded proximal to inflorescence, (10–)20–30(–40) cm × 1–4 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, compact, 25–50-flowered, hemispheric to globose, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 3, 4–6-veined, ovate, ± equal, apex acute. Flowers ± stellate, (6–)7–8(–10) mm; tepals spreading, light pink to purple with prominent green midribs, narrowly lanceolate, ± equal, becoming papery in fruit, margins entire, apex acuminate; stamens equaling tepals or exserted; anthers blue-gray; pollen white to light gray; ovary crested; processes 6, 2 per lobe, low, rounded, margins entire; style exserted, linear; stigma capitate, unlobed; pedicel 15–30 mm. Seed coat shining; cells smooth. 2n = 14.

Oreg., Wash.

Flowering May--Jul.

Winter-wet, shallow soils on rock outcrops; 400--1300m.

Allium hendersonii B. L. Robinson & Seaton

Allium douglasii, the Douglas onion, is a plant species native to northeastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and northern Idaho. It grows in shallow soils at elevations of 400–1,300 m (1,300–4,300 ft).

Allium douglasii produces egg-shaped bulbs up to 3 cm (1+1⁄4 in) long. Scapes are round in cross-section, up to 40 cm (16 in) tall. Flowers are up to 10 mm (3⁄8 in) across; tepals pink or purple with green midribs; anthers blue; pollen white or light gray. Two grooved leaves usually remain during the flowering stage.