Allium fimbriatum
Fringed onion
(c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allium fimbriatum (Fringed onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family.
Fringed onion is a California native perennial found in rocky or open habitats at elevations between 10 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces dark red-purple to white flowers with lanceolate perianth parts 8 to 12 millimeters long in clusters of 6 to 75 blooms. Growing with slender stems 10 to 37 centimeters tall, it emerges from a small ovoid bulb with red-brown outer coatings. Its single leaf is cylindrical and approximately 1.5 to 2 times the length of the stem. The plant's distinctive ovary features six obvious dentate crests, giving the flower a delicate, fringed appearance.
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Inyo, Lake, Ventura, Kern, Fresno, Monterey, Madera, Napa, San Benito, Colusa, Yolo, Kings
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 fimbriatum native to California?
Yes. Allium fimbriatum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Allium fimbriatum grow?
Allium fimbriatum occurs in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Inyo, Lake, Ventura, Kern and other counties.
What plant family does Allium fimbriatum belong to?
Allium fimbriatum is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
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.