Few-flowered garlic (Allium paradoxum, Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc. 6: 72 (1827))

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Author: (M.Bieb.) G.Don

Bibliography: Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc. 6: 72 (1827)

Year: 1827

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Allium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Caucasus to Iran

Description

Few-flowered garlic, scientifically known as Allium paradoxum, is a unique and intriguing member of the Amaryllidaceae family. This distinctive plant was first described in detail in 1827, with its initial classification attributed to the work done in the Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc. 6: 72 (1827) by G. Don, following its discovery by M. Bieb.

This species is primarily found in the geographic regions extending from the Caucasus to Iran. This area is known for its diverse flora, and the few-flowered garlic adds to the botanical richness of the region with its unique characteristics.

Allium paradoxum typically thrives in environments that provide conditions similar to its native habitats, where it can flourish and contribute to the ecological tapestry. The plant produces modest, understated blooms, a feature which is reflected in its common name. Unlike its more visually striking relatives, the few-flowered garlic is more subtle in its floral presentation, which contributes to its paradoxical nature, as highlighted in its scientific nomenclature.

Gardens and naturalists with an interest in unusual and region-specific plants may find the few-flowered garlic a fascinating subject for study and cultivation. Its presence can add not only aesthetic value but also a point of botanical interest due to its limited floral display and the intriguing contrast it provides to more commonly known species within the Allium genus.

In summary, the few-flowered garlic stands out within the Allium genus not for an abundance of flowers, but for its unique characteristics and the specific regions it inhabits, representing a botanical paradox that continues to capture the interest of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Dan: ager-gåseurt, perlekurv, spøjs løg, stinkende gåseurt
Nld: armbloemig look
Eng: few-flowered garlic, few-flower garlic, few-flower leek, few-flowered leek
Fin: haisusauramo, helminukkajäkkärä, peltosauramo
Nor: kvit gåseblom, perle-evigblom, tappgåseblom
Swe: pärleternell, rysskulla, kamomillkulla, snödroppslök, åkerkulla, sloklök
Deu: seltsamer lauch, wunder-lauch
Nno: snøklokkelauk
Nob: snøklokkeløk
Cym: cenhinen brin-flodeuog, cenhinen brinflodeuog, cennin prinflodeuog
En: Few-flowered Garlic, Few-flower garlic, Few-flower leek, Few-flowered leek
Da: Ager-Gåseurt, Perlekurv, Spøjs løg, Stinkende Gåseurt
Nl: Armbloemig look
Fi: Haisusauramo, Helminukkajäkkärä, Peltosauramo
De: Seltsamer Lauch, Wunder-Lauch
No: Kvit gåseblom, Perle-evigblom, Tappgåseblom
Nb: Snøklokkeløk
Nn: Snøklokkelauk
Sv: Pärleternell, Rysskulla, Kamomillkulla, Snödroppslök, Åkerkulla, Sloklök
Cy: Cenhinen Brin-Flodeuog, Cenhinen Brinflodeuog, Cennin Prinflodeuog
: Few-flowered garlic

Synonyms

• Allium paradoxum var. normale (Stearn)
• Scilla paradoxa (M.Bieb.)

Distribution

• Iran (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 5, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2020 by Stefan Haase (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 12, 2019 by Barbara (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2020 by Bakschik Bianka (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Jessica R (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by wuffi wuffi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Radosław Urban (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by Alton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 20, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 27, 2022 by Dave Flack (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2021 by Easger Aukema (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2022 by Dave Flack (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2857017)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:528578-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Allium paradoxum (M.Bieb.) G.Don)

Specifications

Growth