Common name:
Wild chives
Family:
Scientific name:
Allium schoenoprasum
Main flower color:
Range:
Mostly in the northern Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest
Height:
Up to 22 inches
Habitat:
Streambanks, moist meadows, beside lakes; sea level to 11,500 feet
Leaves:
Cylindrical, gradually tapering, up to 22 inches long and about a quarter of an inch across
Season:
June to August
Allium schoenoprasum is one of the taller onion species in the US, nearly up to 2 feet, with the leaves similar in height to the flowering stem. There are usually two leaves per stem, and they persist during the flowering stage. Leaves are round in cross section, and green or greyish green in color.
Plants produce between 2 and 12 stems, each topped by a compact cluster of between 30 and 50 flowers, borne on very short pedicels. Beneath the flowers are a pair of thin, ovate to lanceolate bracts, which are crossed by between two and seven lengthwise veins. Flowers are formed of six pale purple tepals, which become lighter in color as they wither. The middle of each tepal has a much darker stripe. Tepal tips are curved backwards. The style and stamens are not exserted.
Plants produce between 2 and 12 stems, each topped by a compact cluster of between 30 and 50 flowers, borne on very short pedicels. Beneath the flowers are a pair of thin, ovate to lanceolate bracts, which are crossed by between two and seven lengthwise veins. Flowers are formed of six pale purple tepals, which become lighter in color as they wither. The middle of each tepal has a much darker stripe. Tepal tips are curved backwards. The style and stamens are not exserted.
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