Allium falcifolium Hook. & Arn., Scytheleaf Onion, occurs on serpentine soils and outcrops from San Francisco Bay to Oregon. It is often found on slopes with excellent drainage. It is also never found too far away from oak trees, relying on the organic matter from decaying oak leaves. The hummus contents can range from 50% - 20% in the wild. The reddish or yellowish green stem is flattened such that it is thick in the center and thin along the edges. There are usually two leaves which are curved like the blade of a scythe. The flattened stem is no more than 5 cm and topped with a flower cluster of 10 to 30 bright rose-purple or maroon flowers. Individual plants in a population may be pale pink or white with darker midveins. Height range: 10-25 cm. The first photo is of a specimen grown by Nhu Nguyen. The next three photos were taken by Mary Sue Ittner and the last photo by Jane McGary.
Habitat photos from Nhu Nguyen are shown below. Photos 1-2 show the habitat in Napa County where they flower with Eschscholzia caespitosa Benth. amongst the serpentine rocks. Photo 5 illustrates the sickle shaped leaves.
The photos below of a white/pink form were taken by Nhu Nguyen on Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County, CA. This form interestingly does not grow on serpentine. Photo 1 shows wonderfully curly leaves.
