Allium aflatunense

Allium aflatunense
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily:	Allioideae
Genus:	Allium
Species:	A. aflatunense
Binomial name
Allium aflatunense B. Fedtsch.

Allium aflatunense (Лук афлатунский) is a species of plants in the amaryllis family, native to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia. It is commonly grown as a garden plant in other regions.^[1]

Description

Allium aflatunense is a 36-inch-tall (0.9 m) bulbous perennial plant with basal, straplike leaves, and hollow, slightly ribbed scapes (flower stems).^[1] The flower heads are dense, globular umbels, about 4 inches (10 cm) across, made up of numerous star-shaped, purplish-pink flowers.^[1] It flowers in May and June, with seeds ripening in August. It is commonly sold as a bulb.

Allium aflatunense is often confused with A. hollandicum.^[2]

Cultivation

Allium aflatunense is generally hardy in USDA zones 4–8. The plant is suitable for use as a cut flower. While it prefers alkaline soil, it can tolerate poor soil conditions, as well as part shade (though it does best in full sun).

References

1. Brickell, Christopher (Editor-in-chief), The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, p.95, Dorling Kindersley, London, 1996, ISBN 0-7513-0303-8.
2. RHS Plant Finder 2009–2010, p.68, Dorling Kindersley, London, 2009, ISBN 978-1-4053-4176-9.