Long green rounded thin leaves with flower buds

by Marilyn
(Newport Beach, CA)

Hello,
Could you please help me identify this succulent which my neighbor has in Newport Beach, CA. The plant came with the house she purchased, so she does not know the name of it.

It has long green rounded thin leaves (now 5" long) with flower buds.

It hasn't bloomed yet. I've searched several nurseries, but they do not have this plant or know what it is except that it is a succulent.


Drought Smart Plants reply;
Hi Marilyn, this actually looks to me to be more like some kind of spring flowering bulb, or even an Allium.

The main characteristic of Allium is the smell of garlic or onions when you break open a leaf - that's because they are all in the same family.

Many ornamental Alliums are valued as flowering plants in the garden for their pom pom blooms, which the bees love.

The key will be when the buds open, and maybe you can tell more about what it is then.

Many bulbs, daffodils, Scilla and others all have these very juicy looking leaves, which of course die back after the plant finishes blooming. They are succulent, which just means they store moisture in them. I doubt if this is actually a succulent plant.

Maybe you'll be able to recognize it when the flowers unfurl, and let me know.

Jacki