LILIACEAE 325 



to the middle ; leaves cylindrical, with a narrow channel on the 



upper side ; spathe 1-valved, acuminate. 



VINE (or VINEYARD) ALLIUM. Field Garlic. Crow Garlic. 



Bulbs small. Scape 2 to 3 feet high. leaves 8 to 15 inches long. Umbel globes^ 

 about an inch in diameter (smaller and densely capitate, when bearing bulbkts, 

 these often vegetating while in the heads). Perianth deep purple, tinged with 



Hob. Fields, and meadows. Nat. of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. Aug. 



Obs. Tradition says, this species was brought by the first Welsh 

 Immigrants to Pennsylvania, for the purpose of supplying an early 

 spring pasture. It is now completely naturalized, and, in some 

 districts, so abundant as to be quite a nuisance. It not only im- 

 parts a disgusting flavor to milk, butter, &c>, but, when the bulblets 

 are abundant among wheat, they seriously injure the flour, and 

 render the manufacture of it difficult. 



* * Inner filaments obtusely toothed on each side. 



4. A. CEPA, L. Scape stout, and ventricose below the middle, leafy 

 at base only ; leaves somewhat ventricose ; spathe 1- or finally 2- 

 valved, with a short acumination. 



HEAD ALLIUM. Onion. Garden Onion. 



Bulb depressed or turnep-shaped, large (often 2 to 3 inches in horizontal diam- 

 eter). Scape 2 to 3 feet high, fistular, somewhat glaucous. Leaves 6 to 12 inches 

 long. Umbel globose, 2 to 3 inches in diameter, rarely bearing bulblets. Perianth- 

 lobes white, with a green keel. 

 Hob. Gardens, Ac. Nat. country unknown. Fl. July. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. Universally known, and cultivated, as a culinary vegetable. 

 The expressed juice is a popular remedy for the croup, in children. 

 Its stimulating quality is thus playfully referred to, by SHAKS- 

 PEARE : 



"And if the boy have not a woman's gift, 

 To rain a shower of commanded tears, 

 An Onion will do well for such a shift; 

 Which in a napkin being close conveyed, 

 Shall in despite enforce a watery eye." Taming of the Shrew. 



2. Umbel bearing only flowers and capsules. 

 f Leaves Jlat. * Inner filaments with lateral cusps. 



5. A. P6RRUM, L. Scape leafy to the middle ; leaves broadish, sub- 

 linear, acute ; spathe 1-valved, long-acuminate. 



LEEK ALLIUM. Leek. Garden Leek. 



Bulb middle sized. Scape 2 to 3 feet high, stout and solid. Leaves 6 to 12 inches 

 long, and about an inch wide. Umbel globose, rather dense, 2 inches, or more, in 

 diameter. Spathe with an acumination 4 or 5 inches long. Perianth pale violet 

 purple. Filaments white. 

 Hob. Gardens. Nat. of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. Occasionally cultivated, in the Kitchen gardens, as an in- 

 gredient in soups, &c. It seems to be regarded as a sort of national 

 Emblem, by the Welsh ; and is thus noticed by the Poet, GAT : r 



" Leek to the Welsh, to Dutchmen butter's dear, 

 Of Irish swains Potato is the cheer ; 

 Oats for their feasts the Scottish shepherds grind." 



