Allium howellii

Allium howellii Eastw. is a mostly southern California species with three varieties. It has exserted stamens and prominent ovary crests.

Allium howellii var. clokeyi Ownbey & Aase ex Traub grows on open slopes in desert sagebrush scrub. It has white flowers , sometimes with pink midveins. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner of the flower and the bulb (shown on a 1 cm. square grid).

Allium howellii var. howellii is a common species with pale lavender flowers that grows on grassy slopes. It is distinguished from the other varieties by its thin stem.

Allium howellii var. sanbenitense (Traub) McNeal & T.D.Jacobsen grows on thinly grassy slopes in serpentine soils in San Benito and Fresno counties.