Allium hickmanii
Hickman's onion, Hickman's onion, Hickman's onion
(c) Henrik Kibak, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Allium hickmanii (Hickman's onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by very low elevation, short stature, and few-flowered inflorescence.
Hickman's onion is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in central Coast Ranges on the Monterey Peninsula and San Luis Obispo County, growing on grassy, wooded slopes at approximately 50 meters elevation. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers 5 to 7 millimeters long in small clusters of 4 to 15 blossoms. Growing with slender stems 5 to 17 centimeters tall, it emerges from a small ovoid bulb 8 to 12 millimeters wide. Its two leaves are approximately cylindrical and grow to about one and a half times the height of the stem. The delicate flower clusters feature lanceolate perianth parts that spread initially and become erect when the fruit develops.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; distinguished by very low elevation, short stature, and few-flowered inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy, wooded slopes
Elevation: +- 50 m.
California counties: Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Sonoma
Bloom period
Allium hickmanii blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 hickmanii native to California?
Yes. Allium hickmanii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium hickmanii bloom?
Allium hickmanii blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Allium hickmanii grow?
Allium hickmanii occurs in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Sonoma, at elevations of +- 50 m..
What plant family does Allium hickmanii belong to?
Allium hickmanii is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
Is Allium hickmanii rare or endangered?
Allium hickmanii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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.