NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Allium cernuum

Nodding Onion

Scientific Name:	Allium cernuum
Genus:	Allium
Species Epithet:	cernuum
Common Name:	Nodding Onion
Plant Type	Herb/Wildflower
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Alliaceae (Onion Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Invasive Status:	^(*Key)
Size:	0-1 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	White, Pink
Light:	Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Dry, Moist
Bloom Time:	June, July, August
Growing Area:	Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills
Habitat Description:	Generally in open woodlands or around outcrops of shale, mafic, ultramafic, or calcareous rocks, in the mountains at low elevations. Uncommon in NC mountains and piedmont.
Leaf Arrangement:	Basal
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Has some wildlife value
Landscape Value:	Suitable for home landscapes
State Rank:	S4: Apparently secure ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G5 - Secure ^(*Key)
Characteristic nodding umbel with the flowers pointed downward. Garden in Transylvania Co. ,NC Larry Mellichamp
Flowers are 1/4 inch wide with 6 tepals and yellow stamens. Orange Co., NC, cultivated Bettina Darveaux
The capsules split open to expel shiny black seeds. Orange Co., NC, -cultivated Bettina Darveaux
Harvested seeds. Orange Co., NC, -cultivated Bettina Darveaux
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/allium-cernuum/ Vascular Plants of NC: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/species_account.php 700 Bird-friendly Plants for NC: https://nc.audubon.org/700