62 



THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



New England. The American plant is regarded as slightly 

 different from that of Europe and it is sometimes called the 

 variety Sibiriciim. The species is known as Allium schoenopra- 

 siim and it is probable that our cultivated plant has been derived 

 from this. Unlike most plants belonging to the onion alliance 



Stems tipped with globular tufts of rosy lilac blossoms. 



the bulbs are never large and are seldom eaten. The leaves, 

 however, are highly valued and little clumps of this plant form 

 one of the staples of the green-grocer in spring. For a few 

 cents one may get sufficient plants to start a good-sized border 

 and owing to the rapidity with which they multiply he will 

 soon have plenty for his neighbors. 



