Description

This little wild onion grows on the Pacific side of coastal mountains from San Luis Obispo County into northern Mexico. After summer dormancy and the onset of cool winter rains it sends up several grass-like leaves. As the bulb grows and divides over years, more and more leaves appear. Lifting and dividing the bulb will reveal the red outer layer for which this plant is named. The umbel consists of numerous white flowers with magenta details. A mass planting will result in quite a display. As the seed heads develop, the leaves will brown and the plant will go dormant. No water will prevent this. Quite to the contrary, summer water will usually kill the bulb.