Mountain swamp onion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain swamp onion |
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The mountain swamp onion (scientific name: Allium madidum) is a special type of wild onion. It's a plant that grows naturally in certain wet areas of the western United States.
About the Mountain Swamp Onion
The mountain swamp onion is a unique plant. It belongs to the Allium family, which includes many plants we know, like regular onions, garlic, and chives. This particular onion is known for growing in damp, marshy places.
Where Does It Grow?
You can find the mountain swamp onion in specific parts of the United States. It grows in west-central Idaho, southern Washington, and eastern Oregon. It likes to live in wet meadows, which are grassy areas that stay moist. These plants are often found at high places, from about 1,100 to 2,000 meters (about 3,600 to 6,500 feet) above sea level.
What Does It Look Like?
The mountain swamp onion has some interesting features.
- Bulbs: Each plant usually has one to three main bulbs. These bulbs are like small, round or egg-shaped storage parts, up to 1.6 centimeters (about 0.6 inches) long.
- Bulbels: Attached to the main bulbs, you might find as many as 30 smaller bulbs called bulbels. These are like tiny baby onions.
- Flowers: The flowers are shaped like small bells. They can be up to 10 millimeters (about 0.4 inches) wide.
- Petals: The flower petals, called tepals, are usually white. They often have green or pink lines running down the middle.
- Pollen: The pollen inside the flowers is a bright yellow color.
