Ipheion uniflorum
Spring star flower
(c) Jacqueline Raiford, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Ipheion uniflorum (Spring star flower) is a non-native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by South American genus; occasional naturalization from cultivation.
Spring star flower is a naturalized perennial found in the Great Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and southwestern California regions in disturbed places at elevations generally below 300 meters. Flowering from February to March, this plant produces white to bluish flowers with perianth lobes 15 to 20 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems less than 30 centimeters tall, it has flat, bluish-green leaves that spread in delicate clusters. Its leaves are relatively short, less than 30 centimeters long, with a distinctive glaucous appearance that gives the plant a soft, grayish-green coloration. The flower stamens are uniquely attached at two different levels, creating an intricate botanical structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: South American genus; occasional naturalization from cultivation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed places
Elevation: generally < 300 m
Outside California: native to Argentina
Bloom period
Ipheion uniflorum blooms Feb-Mar.
How to tell it apart
vs Sisyrinchium: Crush the leaves: Ipheion smells like onion, Sisyrinchium has no scent.; vs Lobelia: Ipheion has symmetrical star flowers with 6 identical petals; Lobelia flowers are clearly two-lipped and asymmetrical.; vs Allium: Count the flowers: Ipheion has exactly one flower per stem, Allium always clusters multiple flowers together.; vs Nothoscordum: Crush the leaves: Ipheion has faint onion smell, Nothoscordum is completely scentless.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ipheion uniflorum native to California?
No. Ipheion uniflorum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Ipheion uniflorum bloom?
Ipheion uniflorum blooms Feb-Mar.
What plant family does Ipheion uniflorum belong to?
Ipheion uniflorum is in the Alliaceae family, genus Ipheion.
What habitat does Ipheion uniflorum grow in?
Ipheion uniflorum grows in Uncommon. Disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.