Allium atrorubens
Dark red onion
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allium atrorubens (Dark red onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by single leaf with coiled tip and red-purple flowers.
Dark red onion is a California native perennial found in rocky or dry habitats at mid to high elevations. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces red-purple to pink flowers in clusters with 5 to 50 individual blossoms, each 8 to 12 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 5 to 17 centimeters tall, it develops a small ovoid bulb 10 to 16 millimeters wide with brown outer layers. Its single leaf is uniquely cylindric and tightly coiled at the tip, often breaking off with age or when pressed. The plant's ovary features six distinctive triangular crests with entire or slightly notched tips, adding to its delicate botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species - distinguished by single leaf with coiled tip and red-purple flowers
Habitat and range
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Tulare, Plumas, San Bernardino, Lassen
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 atrorubens native to California?
Yes. Allium atrorubens is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Allium atrorubens grow?
Allium atrorubens occurs in Inyo, Mono, Tulare, Plumas, San Bernardino, Lassen.
What plant family does Allium atrorubens belong to?
Allium atrorubens is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.