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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Allium validum (Pacific onion)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Allium validum

Allium validum S. Watson

Pacific Onion, Tall Swamp Onion, Swamp Onion

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ALVA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

From vigorous rhizomes occur large patches of flat, upright leaves, and flowering stalks to 1-3 ft. in height. Purple-pink flowers occur in tight clusters.

 

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Flower scapes up to about 3 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Seeds black.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: CA , ID , NV , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: Mts. from Lake Co., CA to s. B.C., e. to w. ID & n.e. NV
Native Habitat: Swampy meadows at medium & high elevations

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist soils.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Seed is easy to germinate using a gritty medium. Bulbs can be thinned in two or three years. Offsets may also be used to obtain new plants.
Seed Treatment: No treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: OBL OBL
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-11-08
Research By: TWC Staff

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