Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Allium cernuum Roth
(Nodding Onion)


Family: Alliaceae, formerly Liliaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Allium cernuum Roth var. neomexicanum (Rydberg) McBride
Allium cernuum Roth var. obtusum Cockerell ex McBride
Allium neomexicanum Rydberg
Allium recurvatum Rydberg

Allium cernuum has umbellate pink flowers that unlike most other native onions are nodding rather than upright. Allium cernuum is found at mid to higher elevations in moist areas in the Gila National Forest. Although the flowering scape (stem) is curved downwards at the end giving it the nodding appearance, the individual flowering pedicels appear to turn back upwards after the capsules form.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Allium cernuum, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Myer Canyon, September 4, 2010



Allium cernuum, photo Russ Kleinman, Mogollon Mtns., Bursum Road, Aug. 5, 2007



Allium cernuum, in fruit, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Meadow Creek, Sept. 5, 2008



Allium cernuum, closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Kelly Kindscher, Tularosa River at Apache Creek, Aug. 11, 2009



Allium cernuum, umbel, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Myer Canyon, September 4, 2010


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