Allium melananthum, Coincy

92. A. melananthum Coincy , Jour. Bot. (Paris) 9: 336 (1895).

Bulbs c. 0-8 cm in diameter, narrowly ovoid; outer tunics membranous. Stem 25-60 cm. Leaves 3-4, up to 10 cm or more x 2 mm, filiform, fistular, striate, sheathing the lower of the stem. Spathe up to 0-5 cm, 2-valved, acuminate, persistent. Umbel 1-2 cm in diameter, subglobose, dense; pedicels 2-6 mm. Perianth very broadly ovoid; segments 3- 3-5 x 1 - 5-2 mm, dark purple, the outer narrowly ovate, subacute, the inner oblong, obtuse, concave, strongly papillose. Stamens slightly exserted; outer 3 filaments c. 2 - 5 mm, simple, narrowly triangular at base, narrowed above, the inner 3 with the basal lamina 2-3 times as long as the central cusp, the lateral cusps slightly longer than the central cusp; anthers purplish. Capsule c. 3 mm. • S.E. Spain. Hs.