Allium cuthbertii Plant Identification (Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses)

Family – Liliaceae

Stems:

Bulb with cross-hatch fibrous coating.

Leaves:

N/A

Inflorescence:

Sheath of inflorescence.

Flowers:

Flowering – May – June.

Habitat – Pine flatwoods, sandhills.

Origin – Native to North America.

Other information – This little onion species can be found in just a handful of mainly southern Alabama counties. The plant can be identified by its bulbs, which have a coating a cross-hatch fibrous scales, and its flowers, which have a crested ovary and capsule. The crest of the ovary is pointed-out below:

Another species, Allium canadense L., is similar but lacks the crested ovary and capsule. A. canadense is more common in Alabama than A. cuthbertii.
Allium is the Latin for “Onion” or “Garlic.”
The species epithet cuthbertii is named for Alfred Cuthbert. Dr. Richard Wunderlin sent this information about Cuthbert – “Alfred Cuthbert (1857-1932), plant collector whom J. K. Small commemorated with the genus Cuthbertia (Commelinaceae) and several species in other families (e.g. Alllium cutherbii).”

Alabama Distribution:

Photographs taken off Menawa Rd., Lee County, AL., 5-29-06.