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Allium nevadense
There are over a dozen varieties of wild onion in Oregon. The Nevada onion is a perennial (lives for several years as opposed to dying off annually) herb found in the desert regions of southeastern Oregon.
The onion produces a short, leafless stem with a cluster of small white or pale pink flowers at the top. Up to twenty-five flowers can grown on one stem. The flowers have six pointed petals and purple stamens. Stems will reach 8 inches (20.3 cm) in height. The onion will produce a single gray colored bulb of about half an inch (1.5 cm) in diameter. Like other alliums, this onion’s bulb is fine for human consumption but may be poisonous to some animals like dogs and cats.
As with all wild species, you should never eat any plant without knowing for certain that it is edible.
Distribution
The Nevada onion is common to Utah, Nevada and southern Idaho. It occurs more rarely in California, Oregon, Arizona and Colorado. The plant prefers dry, sandy soils and can typically be found on plains and grasslands up to 5,500 feet (1,676 m) in elevation.
Conservation Status
Common.
Photo credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Allium nevadense
There are over a dozen varieties of wild onion in Oregon. The Nevada onion is a perennial (lives for several years as opposed to dying off annually) herb found in the desert regions of southeastern Oregon.
The onion produces a short, leafless stem with a cluster of small white or pale pink flowers at the top. Up to twenty-five flowers can grown on one stem. The flowers have six pointed petals and purple stamens. Stems will reach 8 inches (20.3 cm) in height. The onion will produce a single gray colored bulb of about half an inch (1.5 cm) in diameter. Like other alliums, this onion’s bulb is fine for human consumption but may be poisonous to some animals like dogs and cats.
As with all wild species, you should never eat any plant without knowing for certain that it is edible.
Distribution
The Nevada onion is common to Utah, Nevada and southern Idaho. It occurs more rarely in California, Oregon, Arizona and Colorado. The plant prefers dry, sandy soils and can typically be found on plains and grasslands up to 5,500 feet (1,676 m) in elevation.
Conservation Status
Common.
Photo credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture