Allium monticola
San bernardino mountain onion
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allium monticola (San bernardino mountain onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by glaucous appearance, large showy flowers, and high elevation habitat.
San bernardino mountain onion is a California native perennial found in the Transverse Ranges and northwestern Peninsular Ranges (Orange County) on rocky ridges and talus slopes at elevations of 1,400 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces pink to rose-purple flowers with white bases, arranged in clusters of 8 to 25 blooms with delicate lance-linear perianth parts. Growing with slender glaucous stems 6 to 25 centimeters tall, it emerges from a small ovoid bulb that produces 1 to 2 large stalked bulblets at its base. Its single leaf is cylindric, glaucous, and shorter than the stem, with a distinctive blue-green coloration. The flower's ovary features six prominent linear to narrowly triangular crests, giving the plant a unique and delicate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; distinguished by glaucous appearance, large showy flowers, and high elevation habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Rocky ridges, talus slopes
Elevation: 1400-3200 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Santa Barbara, Ventura
Bloom period
Allium monticola blooms May-Jul.
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 monticola native to California?
Yes. Allium monticola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium monticola bloom?
Allium monticola blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Allium monticola grow?
Allium monticola occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Santa Barbara, Ventura, at elevations of 1400-3200 m.
What plant family does Allium monticola belong to?
Allium monticola is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
What habitat does Allium monticola grow in?
Allium monticola grows in Uncommon. Rocky ridges, talus 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.