Description
Generally this could be likened to a better-coloured and more vigorous version of Allium akaka. The flower stem is said to be capable of reaching about 25 cm tall, though it is much less than that here, where it remains comparatively dwarf (and attractive). There are 2-3(rarely 4) comparatively wide, blue-green leaves which are borne flat on the ground, with the flowers, held just below the short flower stem.
The umbel is medium-sized but is bigger (10-15 cm in diameter) and more lax than is found in A. akaka. The individual flowers, though similar, are slightly larger and more widely open, with the segments remaining rigid long after flowering. The umbel is well packed, with flowers each with a central purple, petal stripe and yellow anthers. This is fairly bright (violet-purple) coloured clone compared to our other accessions but importantly and unlike them, this one increases vegetatively.
A member of the sub-genus Melanocrommyum. The naming in this group varies from author to author; this stock is in accordance with Per Wendelbo, but the original locality (Zanjan to Disaj in N. Iran) is the type locality of A. dilutum of Stapf.
