Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum
Fringed onion
Photo: parent species Allium fimbriatum · (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum (Fringed onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by dark red-purple flowers with fringed ovary crests are key.
Fringed onion is a California native perennial found in southern North Coast Ranges, southern Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehachapi, Central Western California, southwestern California, and desert regions on dry slopes and flats at elevations of 300 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces dark red-purple flowers in clusters of 6 to 35 blooms. Growing with slender stems 10 to 20 centimeters tall, it emerges from underground bulbs with delicate, grass-like form. Its narrow leaves are characterized by fine, linear shapes that complement the plant's compact growth habit. The distinctive flower clusters feature perianth segments with intricately fringed edges, giving the plant its characteristic delicate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 50 sympatric species, dark red-purple flowers with fringed ovary crests are key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Dry slopes, flats
Elevation: 300-2700 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Ventura, San Diego, Los Angeles, Lake, Napa, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Riverside, Kern, Tulare, Yolo, Inyo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Glenn, Stanislaus, Modoc
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum blooms Apr-Jun.
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 var. fimbriatum native to California?
Yes. Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum bloom?
Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum grow?
Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum occurs in San Bernardino, Ventura, San Diego, Los Angeles, Lake, Napa, San Luis Obispo, San Benito and other counties, at elevations of 300-2700 m.
What plant family does Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum belong to?
Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
What habitat does Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum grow in?
Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum grows in Common. Dry slopes, flats.
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.