Allium bisceptrum
twincrest onion
Family AmaryllidaceaeAlso called aspen onion
About
Allium bisceptrum, the twincrest or aspen onion, is a high-mountain wild onion of the western United States found in damp meadows, aspen groves and along streams.
Care at a glance
- Pet safety
- Allium species are toxic to cats and dogs; eating large amounts can cause hemolytic anemia, and cats are most sensitive. General guidance for the genus
- People
- Not recorded.
- Water
- Rain is usually enough until germination; from spring give about 5 cm (2 in) of water a week without waterlogging.
- Temperature
- Needs winter cold; warm winters can hold back germination.
- Soil
- Relatively well-drained soil that is never waterlogged.
- Propagation
- Sow seed outdoors in early autumn, about four to five seeds per square foot.
- Mature size
- 10–40 cm tall.
“General guidance for the genus” marks advice sourced for the genus as a whole rather than this species.
Field notes
Morphology
Grows 10–40 cm tall from pale, strongly scented round to egg-shaped bulbs. Flower heads are 10–15 mm long, purple or pink, with sharply pointed tepals often marked by a darker stripe. The paired flat leaves stay green longer than in most onions and smell when scratched.
Distribution & habitat
California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah at 2000–2900 m, in mixed pine forest, riparian wetlands, aspen groves and meadows.
Ecology
Elk, black bears and prairie dogs eat the bulbs.
Cultivation notes
Seed is sown outdoors in early autumn and needs cold over winter; mild winters can hinder germination. Soil should drain freely. Rain usually suffices until spring germination, after which about 5 cm (2 in) of water a week is suggested.
History & etymology
The strongly flavoured leaves are sometimes used as seasoning, and Indigenous peoples of the region gather them.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- United States
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- Not recorded
- Temperature
- Needs winter cold; warm winters can hold back germination.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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