Allium lacunosum var. micranthum
Small flowered pitted onion
Photo: parent species Allium lacunosum · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allium lacunosum var. micranthum (Small flowered pitted onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by small flowers and 3 bracts vs 2 in other varieties.
Small flowered pitted onion is a California native perennial found in southern Coast Ranges, San Bernardino Mountains, and Peninsular Ranges in dry rocky hillsides, including serpentine areas at elevations of 300 to 600 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces small white to pale pink flowers in open clusters with generally 10 to 30 flowers. Growing with slender stems approximately 15 to 30 centimeters tall, it develops an open, delicate inflorescence. Its leaves are narrow and grass-like, typical of onion species, emerging from a small underground bulb. The flower clusters feature three distinctive bracts, with individual flowers measuring 4 to 6 millimeters across.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 26 sympatric species; distinguished by small flowers and 3 bracts vs 2 in other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Dry rocky hillsides, including serpentine
Elevation: 300-600 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Monterey, San Diego, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Bernardino
Bloom period
Allium lacunosum var. micranthum blooms Apr-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 lacunosum var. micranthum native to California?
Yes. Allium lacunosum var. micranthum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium lacunosum var. micranthum bloom?
Allium lacunosum var. micranthum blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Allium lacunosum var. micranthum grow?
Allium lacunosum var. micranthum occurs in San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Monterey, San Diego, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Bernardino, at elevations of 300-600 m.
What plant family does Allium lacunosum var. micranthum belong to?
Allium lacunosum var. micranthum is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
What habitat does Allium lacunosum var. micranthum grow in?
Allium lacunosum var. micranthum grows in Uncommon. Dry rocky hillsides, including serpentine.
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.