Allium haematochiton

Allium haematochiton

Allium haematochiton

Allium haematochiton

Allium haematochiton bulb

Botanical Name: Allium haematochiton
Common Name: Red-Skinned Onion

Perennial herb that smells like onion and is edible. "Allium" is Latin for "garlic" and "haematochiton" is Greek for "blood and coat", which refers to the color of the skin of the bulb. A nice addition to a grassland landscape.

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Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae

Plant Type: Bulb

Height by Width: 1' H

Growth Habit: Clumps of grass-like leaves

Deciduous/Evergreen: Summer dormant

Growth Rate: Fast

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Preference: Well-draining

Water Requirements: Dry summer dormancy

Cold Hardy to: 2,400'

Flower Season: Spring

Flower Color: White-rose

Endangered?: Not Listed

Distribution: South Coast and Outer South Coast Ranges, Western Transverse and Peninsular Ranges

Natural Habitat: Dry slopes and ridges in the southern coastal and penninsular mountains below 2400'

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Care and Maintenance

Plant the base of the bulb at a depth three times the height of the bulb. This species typically emerges in late Summer or early Fall, so it can accept some water in the warmer part of the year. Stop watering once the leaves begin to turn brown, but keep leaves on the plant until they turn completely brown.

History

Other Names

References

• Harlow, Nora and Kristin Jakob. Wild Lilies, Irises, and Grasses: gardening with California Monocots. Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press. 2003.

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