Allium amplectens

From Puget Prairie Plants
  • Scientific Name: Allium amplectens
  • Family: Amaryllidaceae
  • Common Names: narrow-leaf onion
  • Synonyms/Misapplications: Allium acuminatum, Allium attenuifolium, Allium monospermum, Allium occidentale, Allium serratum
  • Codon: ALLAMP

Photo by George Hartwell, 2003. Used courtesy of Nancy Perkins. Also featured on Main Page.

Taxonomy

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Viridiplantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Lilianae
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amarylidaceae
Genus: Allium L.
Species: Allium amplectens Torr.

[1]

Description

Perennial growing from sometimes clustered and ovoid bulbs. Stem somewhat cylindrical, 15-50 cm tall. 2-4 slender leaves growing from the scape that wither early. Almost spherical multi-flowered white or pink umbels. Tepals 6; pedicals slender 1-2 times length of tepals. Stamens 6 and as long as the tepals. Tepals become papery and converge over fruit with maturity, the fruit 3-celled and 6-seeded.[2] [3]

Bloom Period

May-July [2]

Distribution of the narrowleaf onion

Distribution

California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.[2]

Habitat

Open or wooded areas with clay soils [3]

Uses

The bulbs were occasionally eaten by some northwest coast indigenous peoples.

Propagation

http://www.goert.ca/propagation_guidelines/forbs/allium_amplectens

Allium amplectens, photo by Lisa Hintz

Seed

Seed sample from: 2011

Average Measurement: 2.1 x 1.7 x 1.7

Measurement Range: L: 1.8 - 2.5, W: 1.5 - 1.8, D: 1.3 - 1.75

Features

Shape: Seeds narrow at hilum end, broadening at opposite apex.

Color: Seeds black. Hilum beige to white.

Surface: Seed’s most distinct feature is extreme puckering or wrinkling. Some seeds have concave pitting, ridging, or some net veined patterns. Seeds roughly textured and matte.

Latitudinal Cross Section: elliptical ALAM-lat-crosssection.png

Longitudinal Cross Section: elliptical ALAM-long-crosssection.png


Allium amplectens, photo by Lisa Hintz


Basic Explanations and Assumptions:

The dimensions for the seeds are length x width x depth. The location of the hilum is used as the base of the seed, and the length is measured from hilum to the opposite apex. Where a style is present, the length is measured from the hilum to the bottom of the style. Width is measured at a right angle to the length at the widest part. Depth is measured at a right angle to the intersection of height and width lines.

Measurements included are the mean average for each measurement of ten separate seeds.

All measurements in millimeters unless otherwise noted.

Photo Gallery

References

  1. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved from https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=42709
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 WTU Herbarium, Burke Museum, & University of Washington. Retrieved from http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Allium%20amplectens
  3. 3.0 3.1 Jepson Flora Project