Southern Idaho onion facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Southern Idaho onion
Allium aaseae in Southwestern Idaho
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily:	Allioideae
Genus:	Allium
Species:	A. aaseae
Binomial name
Allium aaseae Ownbey
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Allium aaseae, also known as the Southern Idaho onion or Aase's onion, is a special type of wild onion. It is a plant that grows only in a specific part of Idaho in the United States. This means it is "endemic" to that area, found nowhere else in the world!

What is Aase's Onion?

Allium aaseae is a unique plant species. It belongs to the onion family, but it's a wild variety. Its scientific name, Allium aaseae, helps scientists around the world know exactly which plant they are talking about.

Where Does It Grow?

This special onion grows only in southwestern Idaho. It has been found in six different counties there. These counties include Elmore, Ada, Boise, Gem, Payette, and Washington.

The plant likes to grow in places with sandy or gravelly soil. You can find it at elevations between 800 and 1100 meters (which is about 2,600 to 3,600 feet) above sea level.

Why Is It Called Aase's Onion?

The plant was named after an American botanist named Hannah Caroline Aase. She was a scientist who studied plants. Hannah Aase (1883-1980) was a professor at Washington State University in Pullman. Naming a plant after the person who discovered or studied it is a common way to honor scientists.

What Does It Look Like?

Allium aaseae has bulbs that are shaped like eggs. These bulbs can grow up to 2 centimeters (about 0.8 inches) wide. The plant also produces pretty flowers. These flowers are bell-shaped and can be either pink or white. They grow to be about 10 millimeters (about 0.4 inches) long.