Allium

views updated May 23 2018

Allium (onions, garlic; family Liliaceae) A genus of bulbous herbs, all of which contain oils with a pungent onion or garlic odour. The leaves are undivided, parallel-veined, and all radical. The flowers are borne in umbels enclosed at first in a spathe, which later splits. The perianth consists of 6 free, equal segments, and 6 stamens. Bulbils often partly replace the flowers. The fruit is a 3-celled capsule. Many species are cultivated as vegetables or for their flowers. There are about 700 species found in the north temperate zone, south to Mexico and Ethiopia.

allium

views updated May 17 2018

al·li·um / ˈalēəm/ • n. (pl. alliums) a bulbous plant (genus Allium) of the lily family that includes the onion and its relatives (e.g., garlic and chives).

allium

views updated Jun 11 2018

allium See onion

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