Allium columbianum

Bulbs 1-5+, not clustered on stout, primary rhizome, ovoid, 1-1.5 × 0.8-1.4 cm; outer bulb coats brownish or grayish, enclosing 1 or more bulbs, membranous, lacking cellular reticulation or cells arranged in only 2-3 rows distal to roots, ± quadrate, without fibers; inner coats white to pink, cells obscure, ± quadrate. Leaves usually persistent, green at anthesis, 2, basally sheathing, sheaths not extending much above soil surface; blade solid, flat, broadly channeled, ± falcate, 10-35 cm × (2-)5-8 mm, margins entire. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, solid, terete, enlarged proximal to inflorescence, (10-)20-30(-40) cm × 1.5-4 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, compact, 25-50-flowered, hemispheric to globose, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 3, 5-7-veined, ovate, ± equal, apex acute. Flowers ± stellate, (6-)7-8(-10) mm; tepals spreading, light pink to purple with prominent green midribs, narrowly lanceolate, ± equal, becoming papery in fruit, margins entire, apex acuminate; stamens equaling or longer than tepals; anthers blue-gray; pollen light blue to gray; ovary crested; processes 6, 2 per lobe, low, rounded, margins entire; style exserted, linear; stigma capitate, scarcely thickened, unlobed; pedicel 10-20 mm. Seed coat shining; cells smooth. 2n = 14.

Flowering May--Jul. Winter-wet, shallow soils on rock outcrops, or wet meadows; 300--1100 m; Idaho, Mont., Wash.