Allium yosemitense
Yosemite onion, Yosemite onion, Yosemite onion
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Allium yosemitense (Yosemite onion) is a native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by clustered bulbs in groups of 2-12, central Sierra location.
Yosemite onion is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada mountains in Tuolumne and Mariposa counties on open, rocky slopes at elevations of 800 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to pink flowers in clusters of 10 to 50 blossoms, each 7 to 15 millimeters long with linear-oblong perianth parts. Growing with slender stems 6 to 23 centimeters tall, it emerges from small ovoid bulbs clustered in groups of 2 to 12. Its distinctive leaves are typically two in number, widely channeled or nearly flat, and can grow up to three times the length of the stem. The plant forms compact clusters with delicate white to pale pink flowers arranged in loose, graceful inflorescences.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 26 sympatric species; key feature is clustered bulbs in groups of 2-12, central Sierra location
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky slopes
Elevation: 800-2200 m
California counties: Mariposa, El Dorado, Tuolumne
Bloom period
Allium yosemitense blooms May-Jun.
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 yosemitense native to California?
Yes. Allium yosemitense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allium yosemitense bloom?
Allium yosemitense blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Allium yosemitense grow?
Allium yosemitense occurs in Mariposa, El Dorado, Tuolumne, at elevations of 800-2200 m.
What plant family does Allium yosemitense belong to?
Allium yosemitense is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
Is Allium yosemitense rare or endangered?
Allium yosemitense carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Allium abramsii — Abrams' allium
- Allium acuminatum — Taper tipped onion
- Allium amplectens — Narrow leaved onion
- Allium anceps — Twin leaved onion
- Allium atrorubens — Dark red onion
- Allium atrorubens var. atrorubens — Great basin onion
- Ipheion sp. — Star flower
- Ipheion uniflorum — Spring star flower
- Nothoscordum gracile — Slender false garlic
- Nothoscordum sp. — False garlic
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.