Allium fimbriatum var. purdyi
Purdy's onion, Purdy's onion, Purdy's onion
Photo: parent species Allium fimbriatum · (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Allium fimbriatum var. purdyi (Purdy's onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by serpentine habitat and large flower clusters are distinctive.
Purdy's onion is a California native perennial herb found in central North Coast Ranges in serpentine outcrops at elevations of 300 to 600 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to lavender flowers in clusters containing 20 to 75 blooms. Growing with stout stems 10 to 37 centimeters tall, it forms dense clusters with distinctive onion-like growth. Its leaves are typical of the Allium genus, emerging from the base with a thin, grass-like appearance. The flower's ovary features delicate, finely toothed crests that add intricate texture to its bloom structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species, serpentine habitat and large flower clusters are distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine outcrops
Elevation: 300-600 m
California counties: Lake, Colusa, Glenn, Napa
Bloom period
Allium fimbriatum var. purdyi blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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. purdyi native to California?
Yes. Allium fimbriatum var. purdyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium fimbriatum var. purdyi bloom?
Allium fimbriatum var. purdyi blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Allium fimbriatum var. purdyi grow?
Allium fimbriatum var. purdyi occurs in Lake, Colusa, Glenn, Napa, at elevations of 300-600 m.
What plant family does Allium fimbriatum var. purdyi belong to?
Allium fimbriatum var. purdyi is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
Is Allium fimbriatum var. purdyi rare or endangered?
Allium fimbriatum var. purdyi carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.