Allium atrorubens var. atrorubens

Great basin onion, Great Basin Onion, Great Basin onion, Great Basin onion

Family: Alliaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3

Great basin onion is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the Great Basin and Desert Mountains in rocky or sandy soil at elevations of 1,200 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces deep red-purple to white flowers with perianth parts that appear long and pointed due to inrolled margins. Growing with slender stems typical of onion species, it emerges from underground bulbs in clustered formations. Its narrow, linear leaves emerge from the base, characteristic of the Allium genus, and provide a delicate green backdrop to the distinctive flower clusters. This uncommon onion species represents an important botanical component of its high-elevation desert and basin habitats.

Habitat: Rocky or sandy soil

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: 1200-2100 m

Bioregions: GB, DMtns

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.