Allium fimbriatum var. mohavense
Mojave fringed onion
Photo: parent species Allium fimbriatum · (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allium fimbriatum var. mohavense (Mojave fringed onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by light-colored flowers distinguish from var. fimbriatum.
Mojave fringed onion is a California native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and western Mojave Desert on dry slopes and flats at elevations of 700 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from April to May, this delicate onion produces white, pink, or light lavender flowers in clusters of 12 to 60 blooms. Growing with slender stems 10 to 25 centimeters tall, it emerges from underground bulbs with a delicate, grass-like appearance. Its narrow leaves are typical of the onion family, emerging from the base of the plant with a subtle, linear form. The flower clusters feature distinctive perianth segments with deeply cut ovary crests, giving the blossoms a delicately fringed appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species, light-colored flowers distinguish from var. fimbriatum
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Dry slopes, flats
Elevation: 700-1400 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Los Angeles
Bloom period
Allium fimbriatum var. mohavense blooms Apr-May.
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. mohavense native to California?
Yes. Allium fimbriatum var. mohavense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium fimbriatum var. mohavense bloom?
Allium fimbriatum var. mohavense blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Allium fimbriatum var. mohavense grow?
Allium fimbriatum var. mohavense occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Los Angeles, at elevations of 700-1400 m.
What plant family does Allium fimbriatum var. mohavense belong to?
Allium fimbriatum var. mohavense is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
What habitat does Allium fimbriatum var. mohavense grow in?
Allium fimbriatum var. mohavense 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.