Jeweled Onion

Allium serra is known only from the central and north Coast Ranges.

Bulbs 1–3, increase bulbs absent and ± equaling parent bulbs, never appearing as basal cluster, not clustered on stout primary rhizome, ovoid to ± globose, 0.8–1.2 × 0.8–1.2 cm; outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, brown, prominently cellular-reticulate, membranous, cells arranged in ± vertical rows, forming distinct herringbone pattern, transversely elongate, V-shaped, without fibers; inner coats white, cells obscure, arranged in vertical rows, forming distinct herringbone pattern or ± quadrate, V-shaped. Leaves persistent, withering from tips at anthesis, 2–3, basally sheathing, sheaths not extending much above soil surface; blade solid, subterete, channeled, 13–35 cm × 1–4 mm, margins entire. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, solid, terete, 1.5–4 cm × 2–3 mm. Umbel shattering after seeds mature, each flower deciduous with its pedicel as a unit, erect, compact, 10–40-flowered, hemispheric to globose, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 2–3, 5–6-veined, lance-ovate to ovate, ± equal, apex acuminate. Flowers urceolate to campanulate, 8–11 mm; tepals erect, pink, lanceolate to lance-ovate, unequal, inner shorter and narrower than outer, becoming papery and connivent over capsule, margins entire, apex acute; stamens included; anthers yellow; pollen yellow; ovary crested; processes 3, central, 2-lobed, minute, margins entire; style linear, equaling stamens; stigma capitate, scarcely thickened, 3-lobed; pedicel 7–15 mm. Seed coat dull; cells minutely roughened. 2n = 14.

Calif.

Flowering Apr--May.

Heavy, clay soils, including serpentine; 30--1200m.

Allium serra is a California species of wild onion known by several common names, including jeweled onion, pom-pon onion, and serrated onion.

It favors hard soils with rock and clay, including serpentine soil. It is found in the Coast Ranges of central and northern California, from Merced County to Humboldt County.

Allium serra plant produces a small herringbone-patterned bulb an average of one centimeter in diameter. It has a long stem on which it bears a tightly bunched umbel of flowers. The attractive bright pink flowers are thimble or bell-shaped, often iridescent when new and becoming papery as they dry.