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 Leaves Paul Rothrock @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: CC BY-NC (Attribution-Non-Commercial) |  Plant Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) | | | | |
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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial Similar Species: Allium stellatum
General Desc:
Vase-shaped grass-like leaves and a taller leafless flowering stalk rise directly from a bulb; the flower stalk bends sharply downward at the top causing the clusters of tiny bell-like flowers to "nod" towards the ground; plant has an oniony scent.
Identification notes: White to pinkish-purple, nodding flower clusters, stamens extend beyond flowers; onion scented; bulbs elongate, thin and membranous outer scales, no coarse fibers; tepals (petals and sepals) have smooth edges; ovary and seed capsule have elevated ridges.
Height:
To almost 2 feet
Habitat Description: Found among grasses, openings in pine forests, in moist soils, in cool shady places with Ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, sagebrush, Douglas fir and aspen communities.
Plant Communities:
Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest, Riparian
Elevation: 5000 - 8500 feet
Color:
White to pinkish-purple
Shape:
Bell-shaped in round clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Jul - Oct
Description:
The nearly 2 foot leafless flower stalk (scape) has a 1 to 2 inch wide, loose, nodding, rounded cluster of 8 to 35 tiny bell-shaped flowers at its top. Each flower has 6 tepals consisting of 3 inner petals and 3 outer sepals; margins curve inward.
Leaf Color:
Dark green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Toothed
Leaf Attachment:
Basal
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
No
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
3 to 5 grass-like leaves, 4 to 10 inches long and 1/16 to 1/4 inch wide, grow from plant's base. Leaves flat, linear and parallel-veined with a center rib forming a slight "v" in cross section. Leaf margins are smooth or have small outward-facing teeth.
Fruit Color: Green, light brown
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: Capsule is 3-lobed with 6 seeds and a prominent raised ridge on its surface. It is 1/4 inch long and has a reverse egg-shape with the narrow end at the base. The capsule stays green until just before it releases seeds, then it turns tan or straw-colored.
Seed Notes: Roundish, hard, black seeds are minutely roughened and may have a shiny or dull surface. Seeds are usually wind dispersed.
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