蒜 suan

Allium sativum Image Credit: B. Hammel

Allium pekinense Prokhanov.

Bulb solitary, globose to applanate-globose, usually consisting of several bulbels covered with a common tunic; tunic white to purple, membranous, entire. Leaves broadly linear to linear-lanceolate, shorter than scape, to 2.5 cm wide, apex acuminate. Scape 25--50 cm, terete, covered with leaf sheaths for ca. 1/2 its length. Spathe deciduous; beak 7--20 cm. Umbel with many bulblets and few flowers. Pedicels slender, longer than perianth; bracteoles ovate, rather large, membranous, apex acute. Perianth usually pale red; outer segments ovate-lanceolate, ca. 4 × 1.4 mm; inner ones ovate, ca. 3 × 1.4 mm. Filaments shorter than perianth segments, connate at base and adnate to perianth segments; outer ones subulate; inner ones broadened at base, 1-toothed on each side, teeth with apex filiform and longer than perianth segments. Ovary globose. Style not exserted. Fl. Jul. 2 n = 16*, 48.

Cultivated as a vegetable [native to Asia; also widely cultivated].