Bulbs 1-7+, commonly producing either cluster of stalked, basal bulbels or filiform rhizomes to 1 dm, terminated by bulbels, rhizomes generally lost when specimens are collected, ovoid, 1-2 × 0.6-1.8 cm; outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, light brown to gray, membranous, obscurely cellular-reticulate, cells rectangular, walls minutely sinuous, vertical, varying to irregular, all sinuous, without fibers; inner coats white to pink, cells obscure, quadrate. Leaves persistent, green at anthesis, 2-5, basally sheathing, sheaths not extending much above soil surface; blade solid, flat, broadly channeled, 8-30 cm × 1-13 mm, margins entire. Scape persistent, solitary or clustered 1-3, erect, solid, terete, 10-30(-40) cm × 1-5 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, loose, 15-40-flowered, globose, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 2, 3-4-veined, ovate to lanceolate, ± equal, apex acuminate. Flowers stellate, 7-10 mm; tepals spreading, lilac to white, lanceolate, ± equal, becoming papery in fruit, not carinate, margins entire, apex acuminate, not involute; stamens included; anthers purple; pollen yellow; ovary conspicuously crested; processes 6, central, distinct, flattened, triangular, margins papillose-denticulate; style included, linear, ± equaling stamens; stigma capitate, unlobed; pedicel 10-20 mm, often becoming flexuous and deflexed in fruit. Seed coat shining; cells each with minute, central papilla. 2n = 14, 28.

Flowering May--Jul. Meadows and aspen groves, less commonly on open slopes in mountains; 1100--3000 m; Ariz., Calif., Idaho, Nev., N.Mex., Oreg., Utah.

Two varieties of Allium bisceptrum have been recognized. Where their ranges overlap (central Utah and central Nevada), the putative varieties cannot be distinguished confidently except by chromosome number.

Duration: Perennial

Nativity: Native

Lifeform: Forb/Herb

General: Perennial from 1-7 bulbs, produces cluster of stalked, basal bulbels, ovoid, 1-2 cm by 0.6-1.8 cm, inner coats white to pink.

Leaves: Persistent, green at anthesis, 2-5, basally sheathing, sheaths do not extend much above soil surface; blade flat, solid, channeled, 8-30 cm long by 1-13 mm wide, entire margins.

Flowers: Persistent scape, solitary or clustered 1-3, erect, solid and terete, 10-30 cm tall by 1-5 mm wide; persistent umbel, 15-40 flowered, globose, spathe bracts persistent, ovate to lanceolate, more or less equal with an acuminate apex; stellate flowers 7-10 mm, spreading tepals, lilac to white, lanceolate, becoming papery in fruit with entire margins and an acuminate apex; stamens included, anthers purple.

Fruits: Capsule with six prominent, finely toothed crests and wrinkled seeds.

Ecology: Found on open slopes and in meadows from 3,500-10,000 ft (1067-3048 m); flowers May-July.

Distribution: Ranges north from Arizona through the Intermountain and Pacific west to Oregon and Idaho.

Notes: There are two recognized varieties but they are only distinguished by chromosome number.

Ethnobotany: The bulbs eaten raw or cooked, used as an appetite restorer, leaves eaten as a garnish, and the seeds were roasted and eaten.

Etymology: Allium is Latin for garlic, while bisceptrum means having two structures similar to a scepter.

Synonyms: Allium bisceptrum var. palmeri

Editor: SBuckley, 2010