In British Columbia we are fortunate to have seven species of attractive native flowering onions. But the relatively rare species in B.C., Hooker's or tapertip onion, is one of the most abundant on the continent. The generally creamy to light brown true bulb has the shape of slightly flattened globe. In the wild, bulbs occur in clusters of about the size that would fit easily into the palm of a hand. Normally each bulb bears 2-4 channelled leaves which are predominantly grey green with a reddish base.
Leaves usually dry out and break off by flowering time.
Two papery bracts surround the bud which contains 5-30 flowers. Each flower consists of 6 perianth segments, three petal-like sepals and three petals. Their tips notably reflex especially with age. Six short anthers surround a slightly crested ovary which bears a stigma. Generally petals are pinkish but vary from intense rosy purple to nearly white.