Slimleaf Onion (Allium amplectens)

Resources

• BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer Entry
• Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team Factsheet
• Biodiversity Galiano iNaturalist Observations

Status

• BC: Blue – S3 (2019)
• COSEWIC: Not Ranked
• SARA: Not Ranked
• Global: Apparently Secure (1988)
• Galiano Island Status: Confirmed

Description

This perennial herb grows from a scaly bulb, producing slender onion-like leaves and spectacular terminal inflorescences of white flowers.

Habitat

Slimleaf onion grows on moist rocky bluffs and meadows at low elevations.

Range

In Canada, slimleaf onion only grows in low elevation areas in the Salish Sea, as far north as Powell River.  In the United States, it grows as far south as California.

Threats

Habitat destruction through residential development is the main threat to this species.  Trampling through recreational use and competition with introduced species such as Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) and velvet-grass (Holcus lanatus) also threaten slimleaf onion.

Galiano Status

Populations have been documented on Mount Sutil and along the Strait of Georgia coastline on the south end of the island.