Serpentine Onion

Allium diabolense is known only from the southern Coast Ranges and western Transverse Ranges.

Bulbs 1–3, not clustered on stout, primary rhizomes, ovoid to ± globose, 1–1.6 × 0.9–1.6 cm; outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, reddish brown, membranous, lacking cellular reticulation or cells arranged in 2–3 rows proximal to roots, ± quadrate, without fibers; inner coats pale brown to white, cells obscure, quadrate. Leaves persistent, withering from apex by anthesis, 1, basally sheathing, sheath not extending much above soil surface; blade solid, terete, 10–30(–40) cm × 1–3 mm. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, solid, terete, 7–20(–30) cm × 1–3 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, compact to ± loose, 10–50-flowered, hemispheric, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 2–3, 8–10-veined, lanceolate, ± equal, apex acuminate to long-acuminate. Flowers campanulate, 6–10 mm; tepals erect, white or tinged pink with dark red midveins, lanceolate to ovate, ± equal, becoming papery in fruit, margins entire, apex obtuse to acute or apiculate, not conspicuously recurved at tip; stamens included; anthers yellow; pollen yellow; ovary crested; processes 6, prominent, ± triangular, margins erose to ± laciniate; style linear, equaling stamens; stigma capitate, 3-lobed, lobes slender, recurved; pedicel 7–20 mm. Seed coat dull; cells minutely roughened. 2n = 14.

Calif.

Flowering mid Apr--Jun.

Serpentine clay soils; 500--1500m.

Allium fimbriatum S. Watson var. diabolense Ownbey & Aase ex Traub, Pl. Life 28: 64. 1972

Allium diabolense, common name serpentine onion or devil's onion is a species of wild onion endemic to central California, where it is known from the Coast Ranges and the Transverse Ranges. It grows on serpentine soils at elevations from 500 to 1500 m, from Kern and Ventura Counties north to Stanislaus and Santa Clara Counties.

"Allium diabolense" grows from a reddish-brown bulb just over a centimeter long. It produces a stem up to 20 centimeters tall and one leaf which is longer than the stem. The inflorescence contains up to 50 dark veined pink-tinted white flowers. Anthers and pollen are yellow.