Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Diploid
chromosome
Order of opening
Bulbils in
Species
number
Storage organs
Time of flowering
Flower colour
of florets in umbel
inflorescence
Common onion,
Allium
16
Foliage leaf bases and
Spring to early
White, green
Irregular
Absent in most cvs
cepa
(including shallot)
swollen, bladeless
summer
striped
inner sheaths
Garlic,
A. sativum
16
Swollen, bladeless
Spring (or non-
Lavender to
Irregular
Always present
sheaths (cloves); no
flowering)
white-green
storage in foliage
(flowers almost
leaf bases
always abort)
Leek and kurrat,
32
Bulbs normally absent
Spring to early
White to purple
Irregular
Sometimes present
A. ampeloprasum
summer
Great-headed garlic,
48
Cloves like garlic, but
Spring
White to purple
Irregular
Usually absent
A. ampeloprasum
of two sizes
Japanese bunching
16
Foliage leaf bases,
Spring to early
Pale yellow
From apex to base
Absent in most cvs
onion,
A. fistulosum
bulbs absent
summer
to white
of umbel
Chive,
A. schoenoprasum
16, 24 or 32
Foliage leaf bases,
Spring and
Purple, rose or
From apex to base
Rarely present
bulbs absent
summer
rarely white
of umbel
Rakkyo,
A. chinense
16, 24 or 32
Swollen foliage leaf
Autumn (after
Rose-purple
Irregular
Absent
bases, bulbs prominent
summer dormancy)
Ab
sent
Chinese chive,
32
Rhizomes; bulbs absent
Mid- to late summer
White
Irregular
A. tuberosum
