code: 791
Family: Alliaceae
Common name: broadstemmed onion, flat-stem onion
Plant Classification: Hardy bulb
This superb, easy, alpine, or garden species has bright, hot-pink to magenta flowers with the stamens sticking out from each flower making the flower ball look fluffy. Thick, flattened, sickle-shaped, blue-green leaves persist until well after flowering. It is native to north eastern California and nearby parts of Oregon and Nevada where the leaves, bulbs, and seeds were utilized as food by the Paiute people.
Sowing advice:
Sow seeds at any time covering them with compost or grit 5mm deep, keeping the seed pot in a cool, well-lit spot outdoors. Artificial heat is not needed and can prevent germination so be very patient as many species will only germinate in the spring after chilling or freezing in the moist seed tray in the winter. Grow on individual seedlings in small pots until of sufficient size to be potted on or planted out into the open ground.
Uses:
The leaves, bulbs, and seeds were utilized as food by the Northern Paiute people.
