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Description
Allium Fimbriatum Var. Fimbriatum, commonly known as the fringed onion, is a bulbous perennial plant that belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. It is native to California and is found growing wild in grasslands, meadows, and oak woodlands. The plant produces a cluster of pink to purple flowers on top of a slender stem that can grow up to 20 inches tall. It blooms in the spring and summer months and attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Amaryllidaceae |
| Genus | Allium |
Appearance
The fringed onion has long, narrow, grass-like leaves that grow up to 18 inches tall. The leaves are green and can be up to 0.25 inches wide. The flowers are pink to purple and are about 0.5 inches in diameter. They bloom in a cluster at the top of a long, slender stem that can grow up to 20 inches tall. The plant produces a bulb that can be up to 2 inches in diameter and can be divided to propagate more plants.
Care Guide
The fringed onion is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for. It requires full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. The plant should be watered regularly, but not over-watered as it can rot in wet soil. It does not require much fertilization, but a balanced fertilizer can be applied once a year in the spring. The fringed onion is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9 and can tolerate temperatures down to -20°F.
Common Pests & Diseases
The fringed onion is generally not affected by pests or diseases. However, it may be susceptible to onion thrips and bulb mites. If the plant is affected by these pests, it can be treated with insecticidal soap or neem oil. The fringed onion may also be affected by fungal diseases such as botrytis and rust. These diseases can be prevented by providing good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering.
Habitat
The fringed onion is native to California and is found growing wild in grasslands, meadows, and oak woodlands. It prefers well-draining soil and can tolerate drought conditions. The plant is also commonly grown in gardens and is a popular choice for rock gardens, borders, and containers.
Question and Answer
Q: Can the fringed onion be grown indoors?
A: The fringed onion prefers to be grown outdoors in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.Q: How often should the fringed onion be fertilized?
A: The fringed onion does not require much fertilization, but a balanced fertilizer can be applied once a year in the spring.Q: What is the hardiness zone for the fringed onion?
A: The fringed onion is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9 and can tolerate temperatures down to -20°F.Q: How can I propagate the fringed onion?
A: The fringed onion can be propagated by dividing the bulb in the fall and planting the individual bulbs in well-draining soil.
Related Plants
- Allium cernuum
- Allium giganteum
- Allium moly
- Allium sativum
- Allium schoenoprasum
References
- “Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum.” Calflora. Accessed August 23, 2021. https://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=1527.
- “Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum.” Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed August 23, 2021. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a740.
- “Allium fimbriatum.” Pacific Bulb Society. Accessed August 23, 2021. http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/AlliumFimbriatum.
