Allium macropetalum aka Largeflower Onion

Allium macropetalum is a small wild onion in the Amaryllidaceae family. Common names include largeflower wild onion and big-petal onion. Its native range runs from Utah to Texas and Sonora, Mexico. Records also place it in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. It grows on desert plains and hills across this range. Its recorded elevations span about 980–8,200 feet [300–2,500 metres]. Kew lists its climate as subtropical. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This plant grows from a bulb held below the ground. It reaches about 1 foot [0.3 metres] in height. The flowers contain both male and female organs. Bees and other insects pollinate them. The supplied sources give no flower colour or bloom dates. They also give no details about its fruit or seeds. Its small size suits cultivation in garden beds. Its edible flowers offer another reason to grow it.

Choose an open, sunny site with soil that drains well. The plant does not grow in shade. It accepts sandy or loamy soil and prefers moist conditions. Its desert habitat does not establish its water needs in gardens. Suitable soil ranges from mildly acid through neutral to mildly alkaline. PFAF recommends setting the bulbs fairly deep. It lists USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Sow seed in a cold frame during spring. Move seedlings into separate pots once large enough to handle. Keep young plants in a greenhouse through their first winter. Plant them out in spring once they show strong growth. Division offers another way to raise more plants. Spring is a suitable time to divide them. Keep divisions under cover until they grow well before planting outside.

The bulbs, leaves, and flowers all have food uses. Eat bulbs raw or cooked, or dry them for storage. PFAF records Indigenous North American use of singed bulbs. This treatment reduced their strong taste before eating or drying. Leaves can flavour food, though their texture can be stringy. Use them raw or cooked. Raw flowers can garnish salads. The plant's juice also has a reported use against moths. PFAF reports no weed potential for this species. The supplied evidence establishes neither species-specific poisoning nor medicinal benefits. It also provides no species-specific pest or disease information.