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Nodding Onion
Left: Allium Cernuum in ASMSA Garden in Summer 2023.
Left: Allium Cernuum in ASMSA Garden in Summer 2023.
Above: Allium Cernuum during blooming season.
Above: Allium Cernuum during blooming season.
Plant Characteristics
Plant Characteristics
Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:
The Nodding Onion is best grown in dry, well-drained soil in full sun to minimal shade during hotter climates. Nodding Onions are best grown from seeds during the spring or bulbs/bulb offsets during autumn.
Growth Habit/Description:
The Nodding Onion grows between 8-18" tall. Narrow and flat leaves emerge from the conic bulb and stays until late summer. Each mature bulb bears a flowering stem with up to 30 flowers. The flowers range from pink or lavender to white.
Bloom Season:
Starts in July and ends in August.
Fall and/or Winter Interest?
No.
Distribution
Distribution
Habitat: Nodding Onion is found within New York to Michigan; it extends down to the mountains in the south and cool regions of Arizona and Georgia. They can also be found in dry woods, outcroppings, prairies, and rocky soils in glades.
Native to Arkansas? Yes
Native to Garland County? Yes
Endemic to Arkansas? No
Ecological Value
Ecological Value
Host Plant for Caterpillars?
Yes. Nodding Onion is a host plant for hairstreak butterflies.
Other Known Ecological Value?
Yes. Nectar and pollen attract butterflies, hummingbirds, honey bees bumblebees and sweat bees. The bulbs are eaten by squirrels, and deer graze on the foliage.
Other Interesting Facts
Other Interesting Facts
Origin of Name: When crushed, the Nodding Onion has a smell and taste similar to onion and garlic.
Origin of Chicago: In the past, Chicago was a marshland full of onions, this caused the city to smell heavily of them. One of these plants was the Nodding Onion. The overwhelming smell gave the Miami and Algonquin the idea for the name Chicagou, which means "onion."
Use For Food/Medicine:
The Nodding Onion's juice is used to treat kidney stones, colds, croup, and sore throats. The bulbs, leaves, and flowers are edible, and when cooked, have a strong onion flavor.
References
References
"Nodding Onion, Allium cernuum" (n.d) https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/nodding-onion-allium-cernuum/#:~:text=The%20nodding%20onion%2C%20Allium%20cernuum,recurvatum).
Holdcraft, M. "Nodding Onion, Allium cernuum" (n.d) https://www.leavesforwildlife.com/product-page/nodding-onion-allium-cernuum
Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society. "Nodding Onion" (Oct 4, 2023). Shoshone News Press. https://shoshonenewspress.com/news/2023/apr/28/plant-notes-nodding-onion/
Heritage Garden. "Nodding Onion (Allium Cernuum)" (n.d). University of Illinois--Chicago. http://heritagegarden.uic.edu/noddingonion#:~:text=Nodding%20Onion%20should%20be%20planted,go%20dormant%20after%20they%20bloom.
Blazing Star Gardens. "Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum) 3-pack of pots" (n.d) https://www.blazingstargardens.com/plants/p/nodding-onion-allium-cernuum-native-plant-plugs
Last edited by Reagan Smith, October 2023.
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