Allium abramsii
Abrams' allium, Abrams' onion, Abrams' onion
(c) Ryan Donnelly, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ryan Donnelly · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Allium abramsii (Abrams' allium) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family.
Abrams' allium is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains in granitic sand habitats at elevations of 1,400 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces rose-purple flowers with linear to narrowly lanceolate perianth parts that spread with delicately reflexed tips. Growing with slender stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it emerges from a small ovoid bulb 10 to 15 millimeters wide. Its single leaf is cylindric and shorter than the stem, providing a subtle architectural structure to the plant. The flower clusters contain 6 to 40 blooms, with each blossom featuring distinctive triangular crests at the ovary tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Granitic sand
Elevation: 1400-2000 m
California counties: Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Inyo
Bloom period
Allium abramsii blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Triteleia: Allium smells like onion when crushed; triplet lily has no smell.; vs Agapanthus: Allium smells like onion; lily-of-the-Nile has no smell and much larger flowers.; vs Dipterostemon: Allium smells like onion when crushed; ookow has no onion smell.; vs Nothoscordum: Allium smells like onion when crushed; false garlic has no smell.; vs Tulbaghia: Allium has flowers in tight umbels; society garlic has flowers in loose open clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Allium abramsii native to California?
Yes. Allium abramsii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium abramsii bloom?
Allium abramsii blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Allium abramsii grow?
Allium abramsii occurs in Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Inyo, at elevations of 1400-2000 m.
What plant family does Allium abramsii belong to?
Allium abramsii is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
Is Allium abramsii rare or endangered?
Allium abramsii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.