| Pacific mountain onion | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Amaryllidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Allioideae |
| Genus: | Allium |
| Subgenus: | A.subg. Amerallium |
| Species: | A. validum |
| Binomial name | |
| Allium validum | |
Allium validum is a species of flowering plant commonly calledswamp onion,wild onion,Pacific onion, orPacific mountain onion. It is native to theCascade Range, theSierra Nevada, theRocky Mountains, and other high-elevation regions inCalifornia,Oregon,Washington,Nevada,Idaho andBritish Columbia.[2][3] It is a perennial herb and grows in swampy meadows at medium and high elevations.[4]
TheAllium validumbulb is three to five centimeters long,ovoid and clustered on the short end. The outer coat of the stoutrhizome is brown or gray in color, fibrous, and vertically lined. The stem is 50 to 100 centimeters long and angled. There are three to six leaves more or less equal to the stem and the leaves are flat or more or less keeled. There are 15 to 40flowers withpedicels being seven to twelve millimeters in length. The flower itself is six to ten millimeters, itsperianth parts are more or less erect, narrowlylanceolate,acuminate, and are a rose to white color. Thestamens are longer than thetepals, and there is noovary crest.[2][5][6][7][8][9]
This is a common plant in California, often found inwet meadows at elevations of 1,200 to 3,400 meters (3,900 to 11,200 ft).A. validum prefers sandy and loamy soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant will grow in acid, basic, or alkaline soils, but only in areas with plenty of moisture and sun.[2]
The bulbA. validum can be used as a flavoring for soups and stews although it is somewhat fibrous. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and the flowers can be used as garnish on salads.[10]
It can also be used as amoth repellent.[citation needed] The whole plant is said to repel insects andmoles.[citation needed]
| Animal products | |
|---|---|
| |
| Edible plants / roots | |
| Mushrooms | |
| |
|
|
| Resins | |
| Sap / gum / etc. | |
| Other | |
| Related | |
