Allium atrorubens var. cristatum, commonly known as Dark Red Onion or Crested Onion, is a perennial herb native to the desert regions and dry, rocky slopes of the Western United States, particularly in California and Nevada. It grows at a moderate rate to a typical height of 0.5-1.5 feet (0.15-0.45 meters). This species forms clumps of narrow, green leaves and produces spherical clusters of star-shaped, dark red to purple flowers atop slender stems in late spring to early summer. The flowers are quite showy and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

The Crested Onion is valued for its ornamental flowers and its ability to thrive in dry, challenging conditions, making it suitable for rock gardens, xeriscaping, and native plant landscapes. It is also used in culinary applications, though less commonly than other Allium species. This plant prefers full sun exposure and well-drained sandy or loamy soils, and it is drought-tolerant once established, requiring only low to medium amounts of water. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to bulb rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils. It is also important to note that all parts of the plant are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.CC BY-SA 4.0