Autumn Onion
(Allium stellatum)
Autumn Onion (Allium stellatum)
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Rob Foster
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Rob Foster
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Rob Foster | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Rob Foster | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-07-27T10:48:12-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Allium stellatum, commonly known as the autumn onion or prairie onion, is a perennial herb native to rocky prairies, glades, and dry open woods of central and eastern North America. It forms a bulb and reaches a height of 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) with tufts of leaves that are thick, hard, and rounded on the back. The plant is characterized by its foliage that dies back as the umbel of showy pink to purple flowers emerges in early August, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
The autumn onion is appreciated for its ornamental flowers and its ability to thrive in challenging conditions, making it suitable for rock gardens, native plant gardens, and borders. It is also valued for its edible bulbs, which have a strong flavor and can be used in cooking. This species is drought-tolerant and prefers well-drained soils, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. It can be propagated by seed or division of the bulbs. While generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from onion fly or thrips.CC BY-SA 4.0
The autumn onion is appreciated for its ornamental flowers and its ability to thrive in challenging conditions, making it suitable for rock gardens, native plant gardens, and borders. It is also valued for its edible bulbs, which have a strong flavor and can be used in cooking. This species is drought-tolerant and prefers well-drained soils, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. It can be propagated by seed or division of the bulbs. While generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from onion fly or thrips.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-1.5 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, Purple
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Rocky prairies, glades, and dry open woods
Other Names
Common Names: Prairie Onion
Scientific Names: , Allium stellatum, Hexonychia stellatum, Hexonychia stellatum publ, Stelmesus stellatus,
GBIF Accepted Name: Allium stellatum Nutt. ex Ker Gawl.