South Idaho onion
Allium aaseae Ownbey
South Idaho onion makes a small spring display in a very particular landscape. Marion Ownbey named it in 1950 for his colleague Hannah Aase, a connection recorded by Washington State University's herbarium. The compact flower cluster sits close to the ground, above small bulbs whose underground presence outlasts the brief visible growing season. Flora of North America: Allium aaseaeWashington State University Marion Ownbey Herbarium: Aase’s onion
Botanical name
Allium aaseae Ownbey is accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. The supplied database name identifies the same species. Kew Plants of the World Online: Allium aaseae
Recognizing the plant
The flowering stalk usually stands five to twelve centimetres tall and carries five to twenty-five bell-shaped flowers. Two narrow leaves remain green at flowering. The blossoms begin bright pink and can fade toward white while retaining darker midribs. Anthers and pollen are yellow, while the floral segments become papery around the developing fruit. The leaves and stalk die back after the seeds mature. Flora of North America: Allium aaseae
Bloom window
southwestern Idaho, United States
Flora of North America records flowering in April and May in southwestern Idaho. Flora of North America: Allium aaseae
Native range
Southwestern Idaho's coarse sandy and gravelly river benches form its principal documented habitat. The North American flora records an elevation band of about 800 to 1,100 metres. These are open, well-drained sites rather than wetlands. Flora of North America: Allium aaseae
Botanical sources
- Flora of North America: Allium aaseae
- Washington State University Marion Ownbey Herbarium: Aase’s onion
- Kew Plants of the World Online: Allium aaseae
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.