This is a large and very diverse genus of
monocotyledonous plants. Depending on the
taxonomic source, there are somewhere
between 260 and 979 species of Allium.
Almost all of them occur in temperate
regions of the Northern Hemisphere with a
small number also from
tropical regions. The
genus name is from the Latin word for
garlic.
Originally thought to
possess medicinal and aphrodisiac properties in
addition to flavoring.
Alliums come in a wide variety of sizes and
colors from yellow to white to purple.
Although several form a globe type bloom
others have a more open flower. This genus
includes edible plants such as onions,
chivers and garlic.
Care and Culture of Alliums
