Nodding Onion

Allium cernuum

Also known as: nodding onion, Allegheny Onion

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Genus:
Allium
Species:
Allium cernuum

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Geophyte
Height:
2-3 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun, jul, aug
Bloom Colors:
White, Pink
Food Forest:
Plant contains edible parts

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan

Host Plant for Caterpillars

rosy flower moth (Schinia rosea), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Frigid Bumble Bee (Bombus frigidus), Frigid Bumble Bee (Bombus frigidus), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Lemon cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus citrinus), Lemon cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus citrinus), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)

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:
prefers open, sunny habitats

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold stratified for 3-5 months. For damp stratification, seeds are mixed with equal amounts of vermiculite and lightly dampened in a plastic bag or container. Seeds can also be covered with medium.

Establishment: Germination characteristics of this species are reported to vary according to fresh seed or seed dry stored for six months. Germination is equal in light and dark. Germination can be uneven and occur over many days. Many seeds are not filled and are easily crushed, these won't germinate.

Source: npn.rngr.net