Dark red onion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dark red onion |
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| Allium atrorubens found in the White Mountains in Esmeralda County, Nevada | |
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The dark red onion (scientific name: Allium atrorubens) is a type of wild onion. This plant grows naturally in the southwestern United States. You can find it in the sandy soils of the Mojave Desert and the Great Basin. It also lives in higher deserts in Nevada, eastern California, southwestern Utah, and northwestern Arizona.
About the Dark Red Onion
The dark red onion is a unique plant. It is known for its interesting colors. It thrives in dry, desert areas. This plant is a great example of how life adapts to tough environments.
Where It Grows
This wild onion is native to several states. In California, it grows in San Bernardino, Kern, Mono, Inyo, and Lassen Counties. In Utah, you can find it in Kane, Millard, and Beaver Counties. In Arizona, it lives in Mohave and Coconino Counties.
What It Looks Like
The Allium atrorubens grows from a reddish-brown bulb. This bulb is about 1 to 1.5 centimeters (about 0.4 to 0.6 inches) wide. The plant has a short stem. Around the stem are a few leaves that are coiled and look like tubes.
At the top of the stem, you'll see a cluster of flowers. This cluster is called an inflorescence. It can have up to 50 flowers! Each flower has six shiny, iridescent parts. These parts are called tepals. They are sharply triangular and have dark lines in the middle. The tepals are usually a deep pink or maroon color. Sometimes, they can be lighter pink or even white. Each flower is about 1 centimeter (about 0.4 inches) wide.
