Allium membranaceum
Papery onion
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Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allium membranaceum (Papery onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by papery persistent perianth parts.
Papery onion is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Roaded Forests, northern Sierra Nevada Forests, and southern Sierra Nevada in wooded slopes at elevations of 150 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers in clusters of 15 to 35 blossoms with slender pedicels. Growing with stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops an ovoid bulb 10 to 16 millimeters wide that may form tight clusters of bulblets at its base. Its two to three leaves are flat and approximately equal in length to the stem. The flower parts spread outward with ovate to elliptic petals that become papery when fruiting.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; diagnostic papery persistent perianth parts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Wooded slopes
Elevation: 150-1400 m
Bloom period
Allium membranaceum blooms May-Jun.
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 membranaceum native to California?
Yes. Allium membranaceum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium membranaceum bloom?
Allium membranaceum blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Allium membranaceum belong to?
Allium membranaceum is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
What habitat does Allium membranaceum grow in?
Allium membranaceum grows in Uncommon. Wooded slopes.
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.