Allium cyathophorum is a Chinese (Chinese: 杯花韭,) species of flowering plant in the onion genus Allium of the family Amaryllidaceae. It grows at elevations from 2700m (8,900feet) up to 4600m (15,100feet).[1]
This bulbous herbaceous perennial has thick roots but thin, fibrous bulbs. The scapes are usually 2-angled, up to 15cm (06inches) tall. The leaves are flat, narrowly linear, usually shorter than the scapes. The umbels are hemispheric (half spheres) with purple flowers.[1] [2]
Allium cyathophorum is found in the third evolutionary line of the genus Allium. It is a member of the subgenus Cyathophora and is the type species for that subgenus.
Two infraspecific varieties are recognized:[1]
William Stearn originally named Allium farreri in 1930 after Reginald Farrer, but in 1950 realised it was a variety of Allium cyathophorum, and so renamed it.