Allium bisceptrum
Twincrest onion
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Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allium bisceptrum (Twincrest onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by clustered bulblets and high elevation meadow habitat.
Twincrest onion is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Great Basin region in meadows and aspen groves at elevations of 2,000 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to rose-purple flowers in clusters of 15 to 40 blooms. Growing 10 to 35 centimeters tall with 1 to 3 stems, it features a small ovoid bulb with bulblets clustered at the base. Its leaves are 2 to 5 in number, widely channeled and approximately equal in length to the stem. The distinctive flower perianth parts are lanceolate and acuminate, with low triangular crests on the ovary.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 29 sympatric species - distinguished by clustered bulblets and high elevation meadow habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, aspen groves
Elevation: 2000-2900 m
California counties: Alpine, Mono, Madera, Calaveras, Inyo, San Bernardino, San Diego, Lassen, El Dorado, Santa Barbara, Tuolumne, Tulare, Ventura, Fresno, Nevada, Plumas, Modoc, Trinity, Mariposa, Shasta, Placer, Sierra, Santa Clara, Marin
Outside California: to Idaho, Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Allium bisceptrum blooms May-Jul.
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 bisceptrum native to California?
Yes. Allium bisceptrum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium bisceptrum bloom?
Allium bisceptrum blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Allium bisceptrum grow?
Allium bisceptrum occurs in Alpine, Mono, Madera, Calaveras, Inyo, San Bernardino, San Diego, Lassen and other counties, at elevations of 2000-2900 m.
What plant family does Allium bisceptrum belong to?
Allium bisceptrum is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
What habitat does Allium bisceptrum grow in?
Allium bisceptrum grows in Meadows, aspen groves.
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.