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Native Plant Database

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Allium canadense var. canadense (Canada onion)
Marcus, Joseph A.

Allium canadense var. canadense L.

Canada onion, Meadow garlic, Wild onion

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

USDA Symbol: ALCAC

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Wild onion grows 8–24 inches tall. It has 2 leaves, sometimes more, that are shorter than the flower stem. The flowers are in a round, compact cluster, 1–1 1/2 inches in diameter. The 6 tepals are about 1/4 inch long, white to lavender, fading with age. The plant grows from a bulb which tastes like cultivated onion.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Flower: Flowers in 4 inch globe
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Calcareous

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Attractive, Blooms ornamental, Pocket prairie, Shortgrass meadow
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0826 Collected Mar 12, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe
NPSOT 0796 Collected Apr 28, 1994 in Bexar County by Mike Fox

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Allium canadense var. canadense in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Allium canadense var. canadense in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Allium canadense var. canadense

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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