Allium tolmiei

Allium tolmiei (Tolmie's onion) is a plant species native to Idaho, eastern and central Oregon, southeastern Washington, northwestern Nevada and northeastern California. It occurs on mountains and scrublands at elevations of 400 - 2800 m. It was discovered by and named for Dr. William Fraser Tolmie.

Allium tolmiei produces ovoid to oblique bulbs up to 2 cm long, the bulbs generally disappearing at flowering time but then reforming later. Flowers are bell-shaped, up to 12 mm across; tepals white to pink with reddish midribs; anthers purple or yellow; pollen yellow.

Two varieties are currently recognized:


 * Allium tolmiei var. tolmiei - scapes 5 - 30 cm tall; stamens shorter than tepals
 * Allium tolmiei var. persimile Ownbey (syn Allium persimile (Ownbey) Traub & Ownbey ) - scapes 10 - 40 cm tall; stamens longer than sepals—known only from the Seven Devils Mountains in Idaho