Allium shevockii
Spanish needle onion, Spanish Needle onion, Spanish Needle onion
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Allium shevockii (Spanish needle onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by unique features are bulblets on rhizomes and distinctive bicolored flowers.
Spanish needle onion is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains and Tehachapi region at Horse Canyon and Spanish Needle Peak in Kern County, growing on metamorphic outcrops and talus at elevations of 2,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces maroon-tipped white or greenish flowers in clusters of 12 to 30 blooms, with distinctive perianth parts that curl and reflect at the tips. Growing 10 to 20 centimeters tall with a single cylindric leaf roughly twice the stem's length, it develops a unique spherical bulb with 1 to 2 large stalked bulblets near the base. Its bulb forms thread-like rhizomes with a terminal bulb, featuring light yellow inner bulb coats that turn reddish with age. The plant's flowers are notable for their 6 obvious ovary crests with irregular, often notched margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; unique features are bulblets on rhizomes and distinctive bicolored flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Metamorphic outcrops, talus
Elevation: 2000-2500 m
California counties: Kern
Bloom period
Allium shevockii blooms Jun-Jul.
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 shevockii native to California?
Yes. Allium shevockii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium shevockii bloom?
Allium shevockii blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Allium shevockii grow?
Allium shevockii occurs in Kern, at elevations of 2000-2500 m.
What plant family does Allium shevockii belong to?
Allium shevockii is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
Is Allium shevockii rare or endangered?
Allium shevockii 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.