ALLIUM RUBROVITTATUM

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

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Allium rubrovittatum var. gracillimum

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

Rubrovittatum (L) With longitudinal reddish stripes.

Bulbs:-

1) 0·5-1 cm diam. narrowly ovoid.

2) Outer tunics leathery.

Stems:-

1) 2·5-20 cm. slightly ribbed.

Leaves:-

1) 3-4, 25-150 x 2-5 mm. filiform, sheathing the lower 1/3 of the stem.

Flowers:-

1) Spathe, 2-valved, up to 0·5 cm. shortly beaked, persistent.

2) Umbel, 0·8-2 cm diam. hemispherical or broadly ovoid, dense, 5 to 30-flowered.

3) Pedicels, 1-6(-12) mm, unequal.

4) Perianth, campanulate.

5) Perianth segments, 3·5-4 x 1·5 mm. narrowly ovate, obtuse or subacute.

strongly papillose. reddish, with a broad white margin.

6) Stamens, finally just exserted.

a) outer 3 filaments 3-4 mm, simple.

b) inner 3 with the basal lamina 3 times as long as the central cusp.

c) lateral cusps about twice as long as the central cusp.

7) Anthers usually dark purple, but sometimes yellow.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, c. 3 mm.

Key features:-

1) Filaments 3 mm, included.

2) Perianth segments, with a broad white margin.

3) Umbel, 0·8-2 cm diam.

4) Stems, 2·5-20 cm. slightly ribbed.

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Habitat:- Rocky places and dry, open, stony ground from sea level up to 2000 m

Distribution:- Endemic Crete, Karpathos, Antikythera, but has also been recorded

from Cyprus. Widespread in Crete.

Flowering time:- Apr-May.

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis