Jepson's onion facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Allium jepsonii Jepson's onion
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Allium sanbornii var. jepsonii Ownbey & Aase ex Traub

Allium jepsonii is a type of wild onion often called Jepson's onion. It was named after a famous California botanist named Willis Linn Jepson. This special plant is found only in certain parts of California.

Where Does Jepson's Onion Grow?

Jepson's onion is a plant that is endemic to California. This means it grows naturally only in one specific area. You can find it in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. These foothills are in Tuolumne, Placer, El Dorado, and Butte Counties. It likes to grow at elevations between about 300 and 600 meters (1,000 to 2,000 feet) high.

What Does Jepson's Onion Look Like?

Jepson's onion, or Allium jepsonii, grows from one or two oval-shaped bulbs. These bulbs are like small underground storage units for the plant. The plant usually grows to be about 20 to 40 centimeters (8 to 16 inches) tall. It has a single, round leaf. This leaf is usually about the same length as its stem.

The Flowers of Jepson's Onion

The top part of the stem holds a cluster of flowers. This cluster is called an inflorescence. It can have anywhere from 20 to 60 small flowers. Each flower is less than a centimeter long. They have white petals, which are called tepals in onions. These tepals often have pretty pink veins. Their tips also curl outwards, giving the flower a unique look.