THE MONOCOTYLEDONES 



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segments without a corona. Stamens either six or three with 

 dorsifixed anthers. Ovary superior and the fruit a loculicidal 

 capsule. Allium, Brodiaea and Muilla. 



The species are nearly all American except for the genus Allium (Fig. 

 i960) which is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere. This genus 

 contains about 300 species and is the only one which we need consider 



F"iG. i960. — Allium uvsinum. Ramsons. Umbellate inflorescences. 



in detail. A. ursinum (Garlic) and A. schoenoprasiim (Chives) together with 

 six other species are found wild in Britain. A. cepa, from which the 

 garden Onion has been derived, is a native of Persia w^hile A. porrum has 

 produced the Leek, A. ascalonicum the Shallot and A. fistulosum the Welsh 

 Onion, which is a native of Siberia and is also known as the Stone Leek. 



Fig. 1 96 1. — Allium. Flowers in vertical 

 section. A, Early male stage, style short. 

 B, Later female stage with style elongated 

 and withered anthers. 



