Narrowleaf Onion
Allium amplectens
Also known as: Allium serratum
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Land Management
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Genus:
- Allium
- Species:
- Allium amplectens
- USDA Symbol:
- ALAM2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Geophyte
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from bulbs after fire. Common in post-fire grassland and chaparral recovery.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to open grasslands and rocky slopes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with cool temperatures and moisture. Light is not required for germination.
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Seeds may be collected from dry flower heads and rubbed free from the bracts. The plant is generally distributed from California to British Columbia, thriving in clay soils including serpentine, open or wooded places below 1,800 meters.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Seed viability < 1 year for cold germinators except for A. cristophii