Skip to content

Wild onion

Allium cernuum

Family: Amaryllidaceae Genus: Allium Species: cernuum

Synonyms: Allium neomexicanum, Allium oxyphilum, Gynodon cernuum, Gynodon elliotii, Allium recurvatum, Allium nutans, Allium cernuum var. neomexicanum, Calliprena cernua, Allium cernuum subsp. neomexicanum, Allium cernuum f. alba, Cepa cernua, Allium alatum, Gynodon rupestre, Allium cernuum var. obtusum, Allium cernuum subsp. obtusum, Allium cernuum f. obtusum, Allium allegheniense, Allium tricorne

Wild onion (en)
Allium cernuum โ€” flower
Allium cernuum โ€” flower

Western Herbalism Properties

Actions:
antimicrobialexpectorantdiureticstimulantcarminative

Botanical Description

Allium cernuum, commonly known as nodding onion, is a perennial bulbous herb of the family Amaryllidaceae (formerly Liliaceae or Alliaceae), native to a broad range of North America from southern Canada through the United States into northern Mexico, where it grows in open woodlands, prairies, rocky slopes and meadows. The plant arises from a narrow, elongate, conical, white-tunicate bulb 1.5โ€“4 cm long, often clustered on a short rhizome. Several flat, grass-like, keeled basal leaves, 15โ€“30 cm long and 2โ€“6 mm wide, emerge each spring with a mild onion odour. The slender, smooth scape grows 20โ€“60 cm tall and is distinctively bent or hooked downward just below the inflorescence, so the flower cluster nods rather than standing upright. The umbel is a loose, drooping cluster of 8โ€“30 bell-shaped flowers, each 4โ€“6 mm long, with six pink, rose or white tepals and exserted yellow stamens. Flowering occurs from June to August. The fruit is a three-lobed capsule containing several small, black seeds.

Native Region: Alabama, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, British Columbia, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mexico Northeast, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Cultural & Historical Context

Traditional American Uses

Allium cernuum was widely used as both a food and a medicine by many North American indigenous peoples. The Cherokee, Navajo (including Ramah), Isleta, Makah, Apache (Chiricahua and Mescalero), Blackfoot, Flathead, Hopi, Kutenai and others recorded a range of drug uses including dermatological poultices, pulmonary and respiratory aids, throat aids, cold remedies, febrifuge preparations, gastrointestinal, kidney, liver and urinary aids, pediatric remedies and an analgesic (NAEB: Hamel and Chiltoskey, 1975; Vestal, 1952; Gunther, 1973; Gilmore, 1919). The bulbs were also extensively eaten raw, cooked, or as a seasoning.

Chemistry & External Identifiers

Trefle ID
203483

Important Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.