Textile onion, Prairie onion
Allium textile

Family: Amaryllidaceae

What it is like

An onion family plant. It is a herb. It grows 8-25 cm tall. It has a bulb. There are 2 leaves and they are very narrow and grooved. The flowers are white or pale pink and small and lily shaped. There are several flowers in small clusters at the end of the slender stem. The fruit is a small, dry capsule with a few seeds. The leaves have a strong odour.

There are about 300-700 Allium species. Most species of Allium are edible (Flora of China). All alliums are edible but they may not all be worth eating! They have also been put in the family Alliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on dry prairie hillsides.

Countries/locations it is found in

Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The flowers can be eaten raw or used as a garnish in salads.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, root, bulb

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Allium aridum Rydb.; and others