About Allium atrorubens S.Watson
Allium atrorubens S.Watson is a species of wild onion commonly known as the dark red onion. This plant is native to the southwestern United States, where it grows in sandy soils across the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin, and higher-elevation deserts. Its documented native range includes the following locations: Nevada; eastern California counties of San Bernardino, Kern, Mono, Inyo and Lassen; southwestern Utah counties of Kane, Millard and Beaver; and northwestern Arizona counties of Mohave and Coconino. Allium atrorubens grows from a reddish-brown bulb that measures 1 to 1.5 cm (3⁄8–5⁄8 inch) across. It produces a short stem that is surrounded by a small number of coiled tubular leaves. At the top of the stem sits an inflorescence that can hold up to 50 flowers. Each flower has six shiny, iridescent, sharply triangular tepals that feature dark midveins. The tepals are most often magenta to maroon, but may occasionally be lighter pink or white. An individual flower is about 1 cm (3⁄8 inch) wide.
