Allium textile, commonly known as prairie onion, is a perennial herb that is native to the prairies and dry upland areas of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions of North America, ranging from Oklahoma to Montana and Minnesota, and extending west to Washington and northern New Mexico. It typically grows at elevations between 984 and 7874 feet. The plant produces egg-shaped bulbs up to 1 inch long and scapes that can reach up to 16 inches in height. During the flowering season from late spring to early summer, prairie onion displays clusters of bell-shaped flowers that are white or pink with distinctive reddish-brown midribs, which are quite showy and attract pollinators.

Prairie onion is valued for its ornamental flowers and its ability to thrive in tough conditions, making it suitable for rock gardens, native plant gardens, and xeriscaping. It is also used in culinary applications, as both the bulbs and the leaves are edible and have a mild onion flavor. In cultivation, prairie onion prefers full sun exposure and well-drained soils, and it is drought-tolerant once established. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to bulb rot if grown in poorly drained soils. This species is not typically associated with aggressive roots or significant disease problems. It is important to note that prairie onion should not be harvested from the wild, as it contributes to the biodiversity of its native ecosystems.CC BY-SA 4.0