Allium bolanderi var. mirabile
Bolander's onion
Photo: parent species Allium bolanderi · (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allium bolanderi var. mirabile (Bolander's onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by larger tuber-like bulb distinguishes from var. bolanderi.
Bolander's onion is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern North Coast Ranges in rocky clay habitats, including serpentine, at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces narrowly lanceolate perianth parts 9 to 14 millimeters long in delicate clusters. Growing with a distinctive oblique-oblong bulb 10 to 20 millimeters long that develops a tuber-like appearance, the plant has an irregular outer bulb coat that breaks into unique edges. Its bulb structure is particularly notable, with an unusual oblique shape that distinguishes it from other onion species. The plant thrives in challenging serpentine clay environments, demonstrating remarkable adaptability in harsh rocky terrain.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species, larger tuber-like bulb distinguishes from var. bolanderi
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Rocky clays including serpentine
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Mendocino, Trinity, Humboldt
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Allium bolanderi var. mirabile 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 bolanderi var. mirabile native to California?
Yes. Allium bolanderi var. mirabile is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium bolanderi var. mirabile bloom?
Allium bolanderi var. mirabile blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Allium bolanderi var. mirabile grow?
Allium bolanderi var. mirabile occurs in Siskiyou, Mendocino, Trinity, Humboldt, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Allium bolanderi var. mirabile belong to?
Allium bolanderi var. mirabile is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
What habitat does Allium bolanderi var. mirabile grow in?
Allium bolanderi var. mirabile grows in Uncommon. Rocky clays including serpentine.
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.