Allium atrorubens var. cristatum

Inyo onion, Inyo Onion, Inyo onion, Inyo onion

Family: Alliaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 4.3

Inyo onion is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native perennial found in the southern eastern Sierra Nevada and desert mountains in sandy habitats at elevations of 1,200 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pale pink flowers with perianth parts that are +- ovate and acute. Growing with slender stems characteristic of the onion genus, it emerges from underground bulbs in scattered clusters. Its narrow leaves are typical of onion species, emerging from the base of the plant. The fruit develops from its delicate pale pink floral structures in the late spring to early summer season.

Habitat: Sands

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: 1200-2100 m

Bioregions: SNE, DMtns

California counties: Mono, Inyo, Kern, Tulare, San Bernardino, Alpine

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