Sanborn's Onion

Bulbs 1–3, not clustered on stout, primary rhizome, ovoid, 1–2.5(–3) × 1.2–2 cm; outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, dark reddish brown, chartaceous, lacking cellular reticulation or cells arranged in 2–3 rows distal to roots, ± quadrate, without fibers; inner coats light brown or white, cells obscurely quadrate. Leaves persistent, withering from tip by anthesis, 1, basally sheathing, sheath never extending much above soil level; blade solid, terete, 30–45 cm × 2–4 mm. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, ± solid, terete, 18–60 cm × 2–3 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, compact, 18–190-flowered, hemispheric to globose, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 4, 3-veined, ovate, ± equal, apex long-acuminate. Flowers campanulate, 5–9 mm; tepals erect, white to pink with darker midveins, unequal, becoming papery in fruit, margins entire or irregular to erose, apex acute or acuminate to long-acuminate; outer tepals lanceolate to ovate, reflexed at tip; inner 1/4–1/3 longer than outer, ovate to broadly ovate; stamens exserted; anthers yellow or purple; pollen yellow or white; ovary crested; processes 6, prominent, erect, ± triangular, margins entire; style linear, equaling stamens; stigma capitate, obscurely to distinctly 3-lobed, lobes erect or spreading, ± stout; pedicel 8–22 mm. Seed coat dull; cells minutely roughened.