Allium inutile explained

Allium inutile is a species of wild onion native to Honshu Island in Japan and to Anhui Province of southeastern China.[1] [2]

The scientific name translates as "useless onion" in reference to the fact that this is one of the few members of the 900-member genus Allium lacking the characteristic onion or garlic scent.[3]

Allium inutile produces a single round to egg-shaped bulb up to 13 mm across. Scape is up to 30 cm tall, round in cross-section but with ribs along the edges. Leaves are tubular, up to 30 cm long. Umbel is rather small, with only 4-7 white flowers.[3] [4] [5]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/41669755#page/140/mode/1up Makino, Tomitarô. 1898. Botanical Magazine (Tokyo) 12: 104-105
  2. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=295767 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=240001029 Flora of China v 24 p 202 齿棱茎合被韭 chi leng jing he bei jiu Allium inutile
  4. Kitamura, Siro. 1946. Botanical Magazine (Tokyo) 59: 35
  5. Okuyama, Shunki, & Kitagawa, Masao. 1970. Journal of Japanese Botany 45: 123.