Flowers pendulous. Perianthium campanulate, more than
half an inch long. Sepals ovate, mucronulate, connivent,
green and shining, variegated with purple and white especially
towards the top, bluntly keeled, the inner 3 broader
and contracted at the base ; margins thin and membranous.
Stamens about a third the length of the sepals. Filaments
awl-shaped, white. Anthers peltate, pale yellow, ol two connate
cells opening lengthways. Ovarium trilocular, depressed,
seated on a broad nectariferous disk ; cells with many ovula
disposed in two rows; valves with a depressed furrow above.
Style short, subulate. Stigma simple, somewhat acute.
This remarkable species of Allium grows abundantly in
the shady valleys of Madonia, a mountain 35 miles b.L. ot
Palermo. The plant occurs in other parts of Sicily, and
although accurately represented by Boccone and Cupani, it
remained entirely overlooked by modern botanists until
recently taken up by Ucria, who has given it the specihc
name of siculum.
The Moly of Dioscorides, judging from the meagre description,
must be a nearly related species; but it can hardly
be the same, for the flowers are said to be ol a milk wiiite,
which is confirmed by Dr. Sibthorp, who observed a plant
which he took to be identical with that of Dmscorides, but
of which he appears to have preserved no specimen.
The plant may perhaps be thought deserving ot being
separated from Allium on account of the cells of its capsule
beino- polyspermous, a character which it has in common
with A . inodorum. The umbellate inflorescence, persistent
perianthium, the habit and peculiar odour of the plant accord
entirely with Allium. . ^ ^
Our drawing was taken at the Botanic Garden, Ghelsea,
early in June. The plant had been raised about four years
ago but the source whence the seeds were obtained is uncertain.
The scent is more powerful and disagreeable than
that of any other species. . r» -tu " .
The Latin word Allium is derived, according to De Ibeis,
from the Celtic all, acrid, in allusion to the well known properties
of the plants of this genus. D . Don.
1. Stamen. 2. Pistil.
( ¡ 1 i
\'