Bulbs 1-3+, generally with 1-2 stalked, basal bulbels, not clustered on stout, primary rhizome, ovoid, 1-2.2 × 1.2-2 cm; outer bulb coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, gray-brown, membranous, lacking cellular reticulation or cells arranged in only 2-3 rows distal to roots, ± quadrate, without fibers; inner coats white to pinkish, cells obscurely quadrate. Leaves persistent, withering just at tip by anthesis, 1, basally sheathing, sheath not extending much above soil surface; blade solid, terete, 9-35 cm × 2-4 mm. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, solid, terete, 6-25 cm × 2-4 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, compact, 8-25-flowered, conic, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 2-3, 5-7-veined, broadly ovate, ± equal, apex acuminate. Flowers urceolate, 12-19 mm; tepals erect, rose-purple distally, often white proximally, lance-linear to lance-ovate, ± equal, becoming rigid in fruit, margins entire, apex long-acuminate, flaring at tip; stamens included; anthers yellow; pollen yellow; ovary crested; processes 6, ± prominent, ± triangular to ± linear, margins entire; style linear, ± equaling stamens; stigma capitate, scarcely thickened, unlobed; pedicel 5-12 mm. Seed coat dull; cells minutely roughened. 2n = 14.

Flowering late May--Jul. Loose rock and talus slopes, alpine ridges and talus; 1400--3200 m; Calif.

Allium monticola is known only from the southern California mountains.