Nodding Onion
Allium cernuum
Also known as: nodding onion, Allegheny Onion
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. Scanned by Omnitek. Edited by User:Earthdirt.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Genus:
- Allium
- Species:
- Allium cernuum
- USDA Symbol:
- ALCE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Geophyte
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, white, purple
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
rosy flower moth (Schinia rosea), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Bombus Latreille, Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Red-belted bumble (Bombus rufocinctus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble (Bombus affinis), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-spotted Longhorn (Melissodes bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons) Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Bulbs survive fire and resprout vigorously. Common in fire-maintained prairie ecosystems where periodic burning removes thatch and woody competition.
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Germination can be erratic and slow. Seeds require light for germination and should not be buried deeply.
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
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.