Allium douglasii is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant that produces egg-shaped bulbs up to 3 cm (1+1⁄4 in) long. Scapes are round in cross-section, up to 40 cm (16 in) tall. Flowers are up to 10 mm (3⁄8 in) across; tepals pink or purple with green midribs; anthers blue; pollen white or light gray.[3][4][5][6] Two grooved leaves usually remain during the flowering stage.[7]
Distribution and habitat
Allium douglasii is endemic to sections of the Northwestern United States (northeastern Oregon, Idaho, eastern Washington). It typically grows in shallow soils at elevations of 400–1,300 m (1,300–4,300 ft) above sea level.[3][8]
Conservation
As of December 2024[update], the conservation group NatureServe listed Allium douglasii as Apparently Secure (G4) worldwide. This status was last reviewed on 7 August 1984. At the state level, this species is listed as No Status Rank (not assessed) in Idaho and Oregon, and as Secure (G5) in Washington.[1]
Taxonomy
Allium douglasii was first named and described by William Jackson Hooker in 1838 in the Flora Boreali-Americana publication
Etymology
The specific epithet, douglasii, is named in honour of scottish botanist David Douglas. In English, this species is commonly known as Douglas' Onion.[9]
^Hitchcock, C. H., A.J. Cronquist, F. M. Ownbey & J. W. Thompson. 1969. Vascular Cryptogams, Gymnosperms, and Monocotyledons. 1: 1–914. In C. L. Hitchcock, Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle.
