Allium haematochiton
Red skinned onion
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allium haematochiton (Red skinned onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by clustered bulbs on rhizome and flat leaves.
Red skinned onion is a California native perennial found in southern California coastal ranges, southern California, western Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in dry slopes and ridges at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white to rose flowers 6 to 8 millimeters long in clusters of 10 to 30 blooms. Growing with stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops clustered bulbs on a stout rhizome with outer scales that are reddish-brown and finely striate. Its 4 to 6 leaves are flat and approximately equal in length to the stem, arising from bulbs with deep red to white inner coats. The flower clusters feature narrowly ovate perianth parts with a low, papillate cap covering the ovary lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 27 sympatric species - distinguished by clustered bulbs on rhizome and flat leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Dry slopes, ridges
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Nevada, Ventura, Kern, Alpine
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Allium haematochiton blooms Mar-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 haematochiton native to California?
Yes. Allium haematochiton is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium haematochiton bloom?
Allium haematochiton blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Allium haematochiton grow?
Allium haematochiton occurs in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Nevada and other counties, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Allium haematochiton belong to?
Allium haematochiton is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
What habitat does Allium haematochiton grow in?
Allium haematochiton grows in Common. Dry slopes, ridges.
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.