Allium howellii
Howell's onion
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Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allium howellii (Howell's onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family.
Howell's onion is a California native perennial found in grasslands and open woodlands at moderate elevations. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate white to pale lavender flowers in dense clusters of 10 to 100 blooms. Growing with slender stems 15 to 60 centimeters tall, it emerges from a small ovoid bulb with red-brown outer layers. Its single narrow, cylindric leaf extends approximately three-quarters the length of the stem, providing a distinctive vertical accent. The flower's perianth parts are ovate with six prominent, irregularly dentate crests that add intricate texture to the bloom.
Habitat and range
California counties: Kern, San Benito, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Merced, Fresno, San Joaquin, Ventura, Butte
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 howellii native to California?
Yes. Allium howellii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Allium howellii grow?
Allium howellii occurs in Kern, San Benito, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Merced, Fresno, San Joaquin, Ventura and other counties.
What plant family does Allium howellii belong to?
Allium howellii is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
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.