Allium denticulatum
Toothed onion
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allium denticulatum (Toothed onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by dentate inner perianth parts and elevation range.
Toothed onion is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, western Transverse Ranges, and western Mojave Desert in dry slopes at elevations of 900 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces rose-purple flowers in clusters of 5 to 30 blooms with dentate perianth tips. Growing with slender stems 5 to 18 centimeters tall, it emerges from a small ovoid bulb with red-brown outer coats. Its single cylindric leaf is 1.5 to 2 times the length of the stem, with distinctive ovary crests that are entire to finely dentate. The small bulb has pale brown to white inner coats, giving this delicate onion species its subtle structural complexity.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 38 sympatric species - distinguished by dentate inner perianth parts and elevation range
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes
Elevation: 900-1600 m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura
Bloom period
Allium denticulatum blooms Apr-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 denticulatum native to California?
Yes. Allium denticulatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium denticulatum bloom?
Allium denticulatum blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Allium denticulatum grow?
Allium denticulatum occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, at elevations of 900-1600 m.
What plant family does Allium denticulatum belong to?
Allium denticulatum is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
What habitat does Allium denticulatum grow in?
Allium denticulatum grows in dry slopes.
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.