146 



LILIACE.K. Allium. 



1. ALLIUM, Linn. Oniox. 



rcrianth of G nearly eciuiil ami distinct segments, lanceulatc to linear, usually 

 somewhat spreading, 1-nerved, mostly white or rose-colored, often gibbous at base, 

 persistent. Stamens G, on the base of the segments ; filaments naked, liliforni with 

 a more or less dilated deltoid base ; anthers ovate-oblong, versatile. Ovary sessile, 

 subglobose, deeply 3-lobed, with a very short axis : ovules 2 at the base of each 

 cell (rarely 1 or sevend), ascending; style iiliform, persistent, the lower part nearly 

 free between the cells and jointed on the axis ; stigma rarely thickened or 3-lobed. 

 Capsule obtusely 3-lobed, obovate-globose, often crested, loculicidally dehiscent. 

 Seeds obovoid and wrinkled, with thin dull black testa. — Scafm from a tunicatud 

 sometimes rhizomatous bulb, very rarely from a coated corm, bearing an umbel sub- 

 tended by a 2-valved (rarely 3-5-valved) spathe ; pedicels not jointed; odor and 

 taste strongly alliaceous. 



One of the largest genera of tlie order, numbering about 2.'>0 species, and confined ahiiost ex- 

 chisively to the northern temperate zone ; only 2 or 3 are Soutii American and as many Mexican. 

 Several of tiie Old World species have been largely cultivated from very early times, as the Onion 

 {A. Cepa), Garlic (./. salicain), Leek {A. Pornun), Schallott {A. Ascaloutcum), and Chives {A. 

 Sch(emprastim) ; the latter species is also in.ligenous to America, from the Great Lakes to Waali- 

 ington Territory and nortlnvard. Many of the Californian sjiecies are peculiar either in their 

 more or less solid VmU>, m the markings of the bulb-coats, iu their amipital scapes, or in other 

 chamcters. Jlost of the groups are reailily recognued by a peculiar habit. The reticulation of 

 the bulb-coats, when it occurs, is in some sjiecies recognizable by the naked eye or with a simple 

 lens, but in others needs a glass of moderate power for its clear deHnition ; the markings are 

 usually conrtned to a few among the outer coats. 



Scape stout, tall, terete, from an ovate coated coini and jirojiagating by 

 a lateral bulb-bearing olfshoot : leaves 2 or more, lint'ar. 

 Bracts acuminate : (lowers large, on long pedicels : stamens inchuled : 



capsule not crested. ^ 1. A. I'NIFOI.IU.M. 



Scape compressed, from an oblong coated bulb crowning a rhizome . 

 leaves several, linear : bracts short, united : Mowers small, 

 on short i>edicfls. 

 Stout : bracts 2 to 4 : llowers numeious : segments narrowly acumi- 

 nate : stamens exserte.l : capsule not crested : bulb white. 2. A. VAI-IDUM. 

 Slender: bracts 2: i)erianth-segments acute: stamens included: 



capsule shortly (tested : bulb deep red. 3. A. U.t.M.vrocurm.N'. 



Scape terete, sh nd.r : bulb small, ovate, not rhizomatous : leaves 

 narrowly liuciir : stamens included, except iu n. 6. 

 Leaves 2 or more, sheathing : st-ape 4 to 10 inches high or more. 

 Ovary obscurely crested ; i.erianth-scgmcuts serrulate, rose- 

 colored. 

 Reticulation prouiinent, ipiadrate : flowers deep rose-color, tlie 



segments with acuminate recurved tijis. 4. A. ACU.MlN.vruM. 



Reticulation more obscure, undulate-serrate : segnu'uts narrowly 



acuminate: filaments fdiform. 5. A. BoL.\Nni:i:l. 



Ovary 6-crested : segments entire. 



Scapes usually ratiier tall : {lowers numero\is, white or light- 

 pink, the jieriantii brcouiing thin and lax. 

 Bracts 4 : .segments obloug-huueolale : stamens exserted. G. A. S.vnuouni. 



Bracts 2 : segments ovate-laucoiate : stamens included. 7. A. ATTK.NlUFol.lir.M. 



Scapes low: perianth rose-colored, becoming rather rigid. 

 Filaments deltoid at base. 



Reticulation evident, transversely zigzag : segments ovate- 

 lanceolate : crests narrow, central. 8. A. siu;uatum. 

 Reticulation indistinct : .segments oblong-lanceolate, acund- 



iiate : crests conspicuous. 9. A. iilscKi'TKi'M. 



Reticulation distinctly cpiadrate : .segments oblong-lanceo- 

 late, aeumiuate : ei'ests obscure. 10. A. I.Aci'Niisr M. 



