South Idaho Onion

Description

Allium aaseae, the Southern Idaho onion or Aase's onion, is a plant species endemic to southwestern Idaho. It has been reported from 6 counties: Elmore, Ada, Boise, Gem, Payette and Washington. The plant is named for American botanist Hannah Caroline Aase (1883-1980), at one time professor at Washington State University in Pullman. Allium aaseae grows on sandy and gravelly sites at elevations of 800-1100 m. It has egg-shaped bulbs up to 2 cm in diameter, and pink or white bell-shaped flowers up to 10 mm long.