Allium punctum
Dotted onion, dotted onion, dotted onion
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Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Allium punctum (Dotted onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by key diagnostic feature is the distinctive sculptured bulb coat.
Dotted onion is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau in rocky flats at elevations of 1,200 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to pink flowers in clusters of 6 to 20 blooms, each flower 6 to 13 millimeters long with lance-oblong perianth parts. Growing with slender stems 3 to 10 centimeters tall, it emerges from a small ovoid bulb 1 to 2 centimeters wide with a brown to yellow-brown outer coating. Its two distinctive leaves are flat and sickle-shaped, measuring about 1.5 to 2 times the stem length. The ovary features three wide, low central crests, giving this delicate onion species its unique botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; key diagnostic feature is the distinctive sculptured bulb coat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky flats
Elevation: 1200-1600 m
Outside California: southern Oregon, northwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Allium punctum blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 punctum native to California?
Yes. Allium punctum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium punctum bloom?
Allium punctum blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Allium punctum belong to?
Allium punctum is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
Is Allium punctum rare or endangered?
Allium punctum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Allium punctum grow in?
Allium punctum grows in Rocky flats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.