Allium anceps
twinleaf onion
Family AmaryllidaceaeAlso called Kellogg's onion
About
Allium anceps is a low wild onion of the western United States, centred on Nevada, that grows in bare clay and rocky soils.
Care at a glance
- Pet safety
- Allium species are toxic to cats and dogs; eating large amounts can cause hemolytic anemia, and cats are most sensitive. General guidance for the genus
- People
- Low toxicity; eating large quantities may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. General guidance for the genus
- Light
- Full sun to light shade. General guidance for the genus
- Water
- Avoid overly damp ground; wet conditions invite bulb rot and other fungal problems. General guidance for the genus
- Soil
- Fertile, loose, well-drained soil; sand or loam both suit. General guidance for the genus
- Propagation
- Divide bulb offsets in spring; seed is slower and may take years to germinate. General guidance for the genus
- Mature size
- Flower stalk up to 15 cm; leaves up to 26 cm long.
“General guidance for the genus” marks advice sourced for the genus as a whole rather than this species.
Field notes
Morphology
Up to five bulbs about 2 cm wide carry two flat, sickle-shaped leaves up to 26 cm long. A flattened, winged stalk up to 15 cm tall bears 15–35 star-shaped pink flowers about 1 cm wide with green veins and yellow anthers. After seeds ripen the stalk dies and snaps off.
Distribution & habitat
Widespread in Nevada and into neighbouring California, Idaho and Oregon, on barren clay and rocky ground.
History & etymology
Described by Albert Kellogg in 1861; it has no recognised varieties or synonyms.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- United States
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- Not recorded
Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Crossed A. anceps with another species?Register the cross. If it's not documented yet you'll be the first contributor; if someone already registered it, you'll be taken there to add your photo.