Rock Onion

Bulbs 1–3, not clustered on stout, primary rhizome, globose to ovate, 0.6–2 × 0.5–1.5 cm; outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, brownish, membranous, lacking cellular reticulation or cells arranged in only 2–3 rows distal to roots, ± quadrate, without fibers; inner coats white, lacking cellular reticulation. Leaves usually persistent, withering from tip at anthesis, 2, basally sheathing, sheaths not extending much above soil surface; blade solid, flat or channeled, ± falcate, 12–38 cm × 2–3 mm, margins entire. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, solid, ± terete, not expanded proximal to inflorescence, 9–32 cm × 0.5–4 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, loose, 10–20-flowered, globose, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 2, 3–7-veined, lanceolate to lance-ovate, ± equal, apex abruptly acute. Flowers campanulate, 5–7 mm; tepals spreading, white or pinkish with prominent red midveins, narrowly lanceolate, ± equal, becoming papery in fruit, margins entire, apex acuminate; stamens equaling tepals or exserted; anthers yellow; pollen yellow; ovary crested; processes 3, thick, obtuse, margins entire; style linear, equaling stamens; stigma capitate, scarcely thickened, unlobed; pedicel 5–20 mm. Seed coat dull; cells ± smooth. 2n = 14.

Oreg., Wash.

Flowering Apr--May.

Barren, gravelly soils; 100--1400m.

Allium equicaeleste H. St. John

Allium macrum, the rock onion, is an American species of wild onion native to the eastern and central parts of the US States of Oregon and Washington. It grows on gravelly soils at elevations up to 1400 m. It is a perennial herb.

Allium macrum produces round to egg-shaped bulbs up to 2 cm long. Flowers are white with a green stripe running the length of each tepal. Anthers and pollen are yellow.