Devil's onion facts for kids

Quick facts for kids devil's onion
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily:	Allioideae
Genus:	Allium
Species:	A. diabolense
Binomial name
Allium diabolense (Ownbey & Aase) McNeal
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Synonyms
Allium fimbriatum var. diabolense Ownbey & Aase ex Traub

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Allium diabolense, also known as the serpentine onion or devil's onion, is a type of wild onion. It is a plant that grows only in central California, meaning it is endemic there. You can find it in the California Coast Ranges and the Transverse Ranges.

This special onion grows in a unique kind of soil called serpentine soil. It can be found at heights from about 500 to 1500 meters (about 1,640 to 4,920 feet) above sea level. Its range stretches from Kern and Ventura Counties in the south, all the way north to Stanislaus and Santa Clara Counties.

What Does the Devil's Onion Look Like?

The Allium diabolense grows from a small, reddish-brown bulb. This bulb is just over a centimeter (less than half an inch) long.

Stem and Leaves

The plant produces a single stem that can grow up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) tall. It also has one leaf, which is usually longer than the stem itself.

Flowers and Colors

At the top of the stem, you'll find a cluster of flowers. This cluster, called an inflorescence, can have up to 50 flowers. These flowers are white with a pretty pink tint and have dark veins. The parts inside the flower that hold pollen, called anthers, are yellow, and so is the pollen itself.