This perennial, 1-3 feet tall arises from an underground bulb. The stem is leafless except at the base where several grass-like leaves up to 1 foot long and only 1/4 inch wide arise (D,E). At the top of the stem is a rounded flower head (umbel) consisting of many individual flowers, each less than 1/2 inch wide (A). Six lance-shaped, deep pink tepals (3 petals and 3 identical sepals) are accentuated by 6 protruding pink stamens with yellow anthers (B). The fruit is a small, rounded capsule (C).
Grows on drier prairie sites, flowering from July through September. This plant is outside of its normal range, originating from seed used in restorations. The closest native populations are in eastern Kansas and northwest Iowa. At Neale Woods they are rare in Nebraska Prairie and the wetland mitigation planting in Jonas Valley,
A species of wild onion not found at our two nature centers, but native to our local prairies, is Allium canadense. It flowers earlier (April to July), has white or pale pink flowers and, unlike other native onions, produces small aerial bulblets in addition to the usual capsular fruit.
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