Allium sharsmithiae
Sharsmith's onion, Sharsmith's onion, Sharsmith's onion
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Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Allium sharsmithiae (Sharsmith's onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by distinctive deep red-purple flowers and Mount Hamilton Range location.
Sharsmith's onion is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the southeastern San Francisco Bay Area's Mount Hamilton Range in rocky serpentine slopes at elevations of 400 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces deep red-purple flowers with lanceolate perianth parts, creating delicate clusters of 5 to 50 blooms. Growing with slender stems 4 to 17 centimeters tall, it emerges from a small ovoid bulb with a red-brown outer coating. Its single leaf is cylindrical and approximately twice the length of the stem. The plant features distinctive ovary crests that are obvious, entire, and generally papillate, giving it a unique botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive deep red-purple flowers and Mount Hamilton Range location
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky serpentine slopes
Elevation: 400-1200 m
California counties: Stanislaus, Alameda, Santa Clara
Bloom period
Allium sharsmithiae blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 sharsmithiae native to California?
Yes. Allium sharsmithiae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium sharsmithiae bloom?
Allium sharsmithiae blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Allium sharsmithiae grow?
Allium sharsmithiae occurs in Stanislaus, Alameda, Santa Clara, at elevations of 400-1200 m.
What plant family does Allium sharsmithiae belong to?
Allium sharsmithiae is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
Is Allium sharsmithiae rare or endangered?
Allium sharsmithiae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
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.