The Wild Onions of California

The author draws on the activities of the Native Plant Study Group, which studies the horticultural merit of California plants and is now anticipating publication of a handbook on California monocots. Cultural and descriptive information was provided by Wayne Roderick, Nevin Smith, and Roger Raiche. Further information is available in Mann, Louis K. and Margery, “Decorative Onions,” Journal of the California Horticultural Society, 21(4): December 1960.
Mark McDonough of Bellevue, Washington, who has written extensively on alliums, says: “I am drawn to the wildflower attitude assumed by most alliums I see, admiring their quiet existence and restrained flamboyance. At the same time I can be amused and amazed by the more lavish oddities that nature has conjured up, adding spice to an otherwise understated genus.” Thus the stage is set for investigating the delights of alliums as ornamental plants for the garden.

In California there is a wide assortment of wild onions of the genus Allium with forty species and many subspecies and varieties. Onions are known the world over for their culinary value as they include the commercial onion, garlic, chives, shallot, and leek. In California...