Allium sativum, L.

75. A. sativum L. , Sp. Pi. 296 (1753) View Cited Treatment .

Bulbs 3-6 cmin diameter, depressed-ovoid, composed of 5-15(-60) bulblets; outer tunics membranous. Stem 25-l00(-200) cm. Leaves 6-12, up to 60 cm x 12(-30) mm, linear, flat, keeled, sheathing the lower å of the stem. Spathe up to 25 cm, 1 -valved, withlong beak, caducous. Umbel 2-5-5 cm in diameter, usually with few flowers (which often abort and wither in bud) and many bulbils; pedicels 10-20 mm, unequal. Perianth cup-shaped; segments 3-5 mm, greenish- white, pink, rarely white or purple, smooth, the outer lanceolate, acute, the inner ovate-lanceolate. Stamens included or equalling perianth; outer 3 filaments 6-8 mm, simple or tricuspidate, the inner 3 with the basal lamina broadly oblong, 1 -5- 2 mm wide and i; as long to about as long as the central cusp, lateral cusps 2 or 4, much longer than the central cusp. Cultivated widely in S. Europe for its bulbs (garlic) used for flavouring.

Very variable, and probably derived from A. longicuspis Regel from C. Asia. Before anthesis the stem of var. ophio- scorodon (Link) Döll ( A. controversum Schrader , A. ophioscorodon Link , A. sativum subsp. ophioscorodon (Link) J. Holub ) is coiled in one or two wide loops.