Allium tolmiei var. tolmiei
Tolm's onion
Jason Hollinger (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allium tolmiei var. tolmiei (Tolm's onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by similar to platycaule but smaller with fewer flowers and inrolled petal margins.
Tolm's onion is a California native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau in rocky clay flats at elevations of 1,500 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces delicate white to pink flowers in clusters of 10 to 40 blossoms, each flower 6 to 10 millimeters long with lanceolate perianth parts. Growing with slender stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall that are flat and winged, it emerges from a small ovoid bulb 1 to 2 centimeters in size. Its distinctive leaves are just two in number, sickle-shaped and flat, measuring less than twice the stem's length. The plant's compact structure and unique leaf arrangement make it a subtle but intriguing member of California's native onion family.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; similar to platycaule but smaller with fewer flowers and inrolled petal margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Rocky clay flats
Elevation: 1500-2200 m
California counties: Modoc, Lassen, Trinity
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Allium tolmiei var. tolmiei blooms Apr-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 tolmiei var. tolmiei native to California?
Yes. Allium tolmiei var. tolmiei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium tolmiei var. tolmiei bloom?
Allium tolmiei var. tolmiei blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Allium tolmiei var. tolmiei grow?
Allium tolmiei var. tolmiei occurs in Modoc, Lassen, Trinity, at elevations of 1500-2200 m.
What plant family does Allium tolmiei var. tolmiei belong to?
Allium tolmiei var. tolmiei is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
What habitat does Allium tolmiei var. tolmiei grow in?
Allium tolmiei var. tolmiei grows in Uncommon. Rocky clay flats.
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.