Allium munzii
Munz's onion, Munz's onion, Munz's onion
(c) Jordan Zylstra, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Allium munzii (Munz's onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by unique red perianth in fruit and jagged ovary crests.
Munz's onion is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in eastern Santa Catalina Island and northwestern Peninsular Ranges in western Riverside County grassy openings of coastal-sage scrub at elevations of 300 to 900 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces white flowers with delicate six to eight millimeter perianth parts that turn reddish in fruit. Growing with slender stems 15 to 35 centimeters tall, it emerges from a small ovoid bulb with distinctive red-brown outer layers. Its single leaf is cylindrical and approximately one and a half times the length of the stem, emerging from a compact base. The flower clusters contain 10 to 35 blooms with six prominent jagged crests on the ovary, giving the plant a distinctive architectural quality.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; unique red perianth in fruit and jagged ovary crests
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy openings in coastal-sage scrub
Elevation: 300-900 m
California counties: Riverside
Bloom period
Allium munzii blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 munzii native to California?
Yes. Allium munzii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium munzii bloom?
Allium munzii blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Allium munzii grow?
Allium munzii occurs in Riverside, at elevations of 300-900 m.
What plant family does Allium munzii belong to?
Allium munzii is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
Is Allium munzii rare or endangered?
Allium munzii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.