Allium tuberosum

Bulbs 1–3, borne on stout, ± horizontal rhizome, elongate, cylindric or conic, 0.5–1.5 × 0.7–2 cm; outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, brown, reticulate, cells ± fine-meshed, open, fibrous; inner coats white, cells closely parallel, elongate. Leaves withering from tip by anthesis, 2–5, sheathing scape to ± soil level; blade solid, flat, carinate abaxially, 20–40 cm × 2–6 mm, margins entire. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, terete, 30–50 cm × 1–3 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, loose, 20–50-flowered, hemispheric-globose, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 1–3, 3–7-veined, lanceovate, shorter than pedicel, apex acuminate. Flowers substellate, 4–9 mm; tepals spreading, white with green or brownish midveins, lanceolate to elliptic, ± equal, withering and exposing capsule, margins entire, apex obtuse or acute; stamens included; anthers purple; pollen white; ovary crestless; style linear, ± equaling stamens; stigma capitate, unlobed; pedicel 10–30 mm. Seed-coat shining; cells smooth, irregularly shaped, with ± sinuous walls.

Phenology: Flowering Jul–Aug.
Habitat: Roadsides and other disturbed ground

Introduced; Iowa, Nebr., Wis., se Asia

Discussion

Allium tuberosum is cultivated in China, Siberia, and North America, and is reported to be established in New England. It may escape anywhere the species is cultivated.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa