Atropurpureum

Allium is a large genus of flowering plants in the amaryllis family that includes many familiar culinary staples like onions, garlic, chives, leeks, and shallots. These bulbous perennials are characterized by their distinctive pungent aroma and flavor, which comes from sulfur compounds released when their tissues are damaged.

The plants typically grow from underground bulbs and produce long, narrow leaves that are often hollow or flat. Their flowers form in rounded or umbrella-shaped clusters called umbels, ranging in color from white and yellow to pink, purple, and blue. These spherical flower heads can be quite striking, making ornamental alliums popular in gardens and floral arrangements.

Alliums are native to the Northern Hemisphere and thrive in temperate climates. Beyond their culinary importance, many species serve as attractive ornamental plants, with some varieties producing dramatic purple or white globular blooms that can reach several inches in diameter. The genus includes over 700 species, from tiny alpine varieties to tall garden specimens that can reach several feet in height. Most alliums are hardy, deer-resistant plants that prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.