Allium atrosanguineum explained

Allium atrosanguineum is an Asian species of onion native to China, Siberia, Mongolia, and Central Asia. It grows high in the mountains at elevations of 2400–5400 m.^{[1] [2]}

Allium atrosanguineum produces cylindrical bulbs up to 10 mm in diameter. Scapes are round in cross-section, up to 60 cm tall. Leaves are round in cross-section, usually shorter than the scapes. Umbels appear spherical from a distance, with many flowers. Tepals are pink, yellow, copper-colored, brass-colored or purple, sometimes with small dark spots.^{[1] [3]}

Three varieties are generally recognized:^[1]

• Allium atrosanguineum var. atrosanguineum—Tepals purple - red with small spots — western China (Qinghai, Sichuan, Xinjiang), Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan), Pakistan, Siberia (Tuva, Buryatiya, Krasnoyarsk, Zabaykalsky Krai), Mongolia
• Allium atrosanguineum var. fedschenkoanum (Regel) G.H.Zhu & Turland^[4] - tepals pale yellow or pink — Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan), Pakistan, Tibet, Xinjiang
• Allium atrosanguineum var. tibeticum (Regel) G.H.Zhu & Turland^[4] — tepals copper-colored or brass-colored — Western China (Tibet, Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan)

Notes and References

1. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200027450 Flora of China v 24 p 194
2. Nasir, E. & S. I. Ali (eds). 1980-2005. Flora of Pakistan University of Karachi, Karachi.
3. Schrenk, Alexander Gustav von. 1842. Bulletin scientifique, Académie Imperiale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg 10: 355.
4. Zhu, Guang Hua & Turland, Nicholas John. 2000. Two new combinations in Central Asian and Chinese Allium (Alliaceae). Novon 10:181-182.