Allium howellii var. sanbenitense

San benito onion, San Benito onion, San Benito onion

Family: Alliaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3

San benito onion is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in southern central Coast Ranges in San Benito and Fresno counties, occurring in grassy openings within chaparral at elevations of 300 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers in dense clusters containing 50 to 90 blooms, with stamens extending 2 to 4 millimeters beyond the perianth. Growing with stout stems 25 to 60 centimeters tall, it emerges as a robust and distinctive onion species. Its leaves (though not detailed in source data) are characteristic of the Allium genus, likely linear and grass-like. The plant's white or green ovary crests and substantial flower clusters make it a notable endemic to its limited habitat range.

Habitat: Uncommon. Grassy openings in chaparral, vertic clay

Bloom period: Apr-May

Elevation: 300-1000 m

Bioregions: SCoRI (se San Benito, w Fresno cos.).

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.