About Allium perdulce S.V.Fraser
Allium perdulce, commonly known as the Plains onion, is a plant species native to the central United States, cultivated as an ornamental in other regions. It has been recorded growing in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and a single county in western Iowa: Woodbury County. The species epithet "perdulce" comes from Neo-Latin, meaning "especially sweet". This name refers to the flower scent, which is similar to the scent of hyacinths. Allium perdulce produces 2 to 20 bulbs, each reaching up to 3 cm (1.2 inches) in diameter. Its flowers are urn-shaped and up to 10 mm (0.4 inches) across. Tepals are typically deep rose to purple, except in the recognized variety var. sperryi. Pollen of this species is yellow. Two varieties of Allium perdulce are currently recognized: Allium perdulce var. perdulce and Allium perdulce var. sperryi Ownbey. Var. sperryi is a color variant that has only been found in the Trans-Pecos region of western Texas. It produces white to pale pink flowers, rather than the deep rose to purple flowers common to the species. For cultivation, the Plains onion prefers sandy loam soil. While it tolerates drought conditions, it benefits from some additional moisture when grown in cultivation.
