Scientific name: Nothoscordum gracile (Aiton) Stearn

Synonyms: Allium gracile Aiton; Nothoscordum fragrans (Vent.) Kunth; N. inodorum auct. Non (Aiton) Nicholson

Common names: Onion weed, wild onion

Family: Liliaceae

Origin:

Native of North America.

Habit:

Perennial lily-like herb with narrow strap-like leaves and white subterranean bulbs.

Habitat:

Widespread weed of gardens and cultivation.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Bulbs are egg-shaped and white, mature plants have a large main bulb with many small bulblets clustered around it. Leaves are narrow and straplike, 15-60 × 0.4-1 cm with papery sheaths at the base and a faint onion-like smell.

Flowers and fruit

Small whitish flowers, 1-1.5 cm long and borne in clusters of 8-12 at the top of an erect stalk up to 75 cm long. Flowering occurs in summer. Fruits are 6 mm long capsules with three compartments inside each producing 4-12 seeds.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Bulbous perennial with narrow strap-like leaves with a faint onion smell.

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 3. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Auld, B.A. and Medd, R.W. (1996). Weeds: An Illustrated Botanical Guide to Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Sydney.