Allium atroviolaceum, Boiss.

79. A. atroviolaceum Boiss. , Diagn. Pl. Or. Nov. 1(7): 112 (1846).

Bulbs 1 -2- 5 cm in diameter, ovoid; outer tunics membranous, becoming fibrous; bulblets yellowish-brown. Stem 50-120 cm. Leaves 3- 6, up to 20 cm x 4-12 mm, flat, with denticulate margin, sheathing the lower of the stem. Spathe 1 - valved, long-beaked, caducous. Umbel 3-6 cm in diameter, globose, rarely ovoid; pedicels up to 30 mm, unequal. Perianth cup-shaped; segments 3 -5-5 x 1 -2-2- 5 mm, usually dark purple, rarely paler or greenish-tinged, the outer narrowly ovate, acute, the inner ovate, obtuse, with a few large papillae on the keel. Stamens exserted; outer 3 filaments 4—5 mm, simple, the inner with the basal lamina narrower than the inner perianth-segments and H times as long as the central cusp, the lateral cusps much longer than the central cusp. Capsule 2- 5 mm. 2n = 16, 24, 32,40, 48. Cultivated ground and dry grassland. S.E. & E. C. Europe. Bu Cz Gr Hu It Ju Rm Rs (W, K) Tu.

Plants from S. Ukraine have been referred to A. atroviolaceum var. firmotunicatum (Fomin) Grossh. ( A. firmotunicatum Fomin ), but it is uncertain whether the differential characters are constant.