Liliaceae : Allium textile

Allium textile is a perennial herb coming from an underground egg-shaped bulb that is up to 2.5 cm long. This onion is shorter than the other common onions growing in South Dakota, often having multiple stems coming from a single bulb which grow from 10 to 30 cm in height. The stems are often curved or twisted in appearance. The plant has 1 or 2 flat grass-like leaves that are (2) 1-3 mm wide, alternately attached near the base, sheathing the stem, and may appear to be basal. Allium textile has numerous flowers arranged in a compact umbel and bloom from May to June.. The tepals are white to rarely pink in color, 5-7 mm long. The stamens are not exerted from the tepals as with the other common onions of the region. The fruit is a capsule. This species is commonly found throughout the state in mixed grass prairies, sagebrush steppes, meadows, open pine forests, and clearings.