Allium omeiense

Allium omeiense is a species of onion that belongs to the Allium genus, which is part of the Amaryllidaceae family. This plant species is native to Sichuan province in China, where it grows in meadows and on slopes at altitudes of 2,400 to 3,000 meters.

Description

The Allium omeiense is a bulbous perennial that grows up to 30 cm tall. The bulbs are ovoid and measure about 1 cm in diameter. The leaves are linear, flat, and measure up to 15 cm long and 2 mm wide. The flowers of the Allium omeiense are purple and bloom in a spherical umbel. The flowering period is from July to August.

Taxonomy

The Allium omeiense was first described by the Chinese botanist Tang Tsin and his colleague F.T. Wang in 1980. The species name "omeiense" refers to the Mount Emei, a sacred Buddhist mountain in Sichuan province, where this species was first discovered.

Cultivation

The Allium omeiense is not widely cultivated and is rarely found outside its native range. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun exposure. The bulbs should be planted in the autumn at a depth of about three times their diameter.

Uses

While the Allium omeiense is primarily grown for ornamental purposes due to its attractive purple flowers, like many other species in the Allium genus, it is also edible and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine.

See also

• List of Allium species
• Flora of China