ALLIUM CHAMAESPATHUM

Family and Genus:- See- ALLIACEAE/Sect. ALLIUM

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Allium (L) The ancient Latin name for garlic.

Chamae (Gr) On-theground, lowly, low-growing, prostrate.

Spathum (Gr) Sheath.

General description:- Bulbous perennial plants, usually smelling strongly of garlic

or onion.

Bulb:-

1) 1·8-2·5 cm diam, ovoid, without bulblets, outer layers papery, thin.

Stem:-

1) (10-)25-30(-60) cm.

Leaves:-

1) 2-3, up to 30 cm × 4 mm, fistular, canaliculate above, almost withered at

anthesis, sheathing the stem up to the umbel.

Flowers:-

1) Spathe, 2·5-5 cm, 1-valved, beaked, caducous, but often held in place by the

uppermost leaf.

2) Umbel, 3-4·5 cm in diam. globose or hemispherical.

3) Pedicels, 10-15 mm, almost equal.

4) Perianth, cylindrical, segments, 4-4·5 × 1·3-1·8 mm, white or dull green, narrowly

oblong, the outer rounded at the apex, the inner truncate.

5) Stamens, slightly exserted;

a) outer 3 filaments. 1·5-2·5 mm, simple.

b) the inner 3, with the basal lamina about twice as long as the central cusp, the

lateral cusps as long as or shorter than the central cusp.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule c. 5mm.

Key features:-

1) Filaments, of the inner 3 stamens tricuspidate.

2) Leaves, sheathing stem up to umbel.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Grows on rocky (calcareous) mountain slopes from sea level to 2,000m

and is also found on roadsides.

Distribution:- Native to Greece and Albania. In Greece it occurs on the mainland

and in Corfu, Thasos and Crete where it has a limited distribution.

Flowering time:- Sept-Oct.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton

Status:-

Although this species is fairly widespread, it is considered by the IUCN to be

threatened in southern Greece.