Allium geyeri var. tenerum
Bulbil onion
(c) Bob Walker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bob Walker · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Allium geyeri var. tenerum (Bulbil onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by flowers mostly replaced by bulblets, specific range unclear.
Bulbil onion is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in meadows, rocky seeps, and streambanks at elevations around 1,495 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces delicate white to pink flowers in small clusters with many flowers replaced by nearly sessile bulblets. Growing 10 to 50 centimeters tall with cylindric or angled stems, it develops in clustered groups with an ovoid or elongate bulb covered in a coarsely fibrous-net-like outer coat. Its leaves are thin and straight, measuring 1 to 3 millimeters wide, with three or more leaves typically growing shorter than the stem. The plant produces small flowers 4 to 10 millimeters long, with perianth parts ranging from white to soft pink.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; flowers mostly replaced by bulblets, specific range unclear
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, rocky seeps, streambanks
Elevation: 1495 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Alberta, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona
Bloom period
Allium geyeri var. tenerum blooms May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
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 geyeri var. tenerum native to California?
Yes. Allium geyeri var. tenerum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium geyeri var. tenerum bloom?
Allium geyeri var. tenerum blooms May.
What plant family does Allium geyeri var. tenerum belong to?
Allium geyeri var. tenerum is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
Is Allium geyeri var. tenerum rare or endangered?
Allium geyeri var. tenerum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Allium geyeri var. tenerum grow in?
Allium geyeri var. tenerum grows in Meadows, rocky seeps, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.