Allium flavum relatives

This page is devoted to the variable and colorful European species Allium flavum and Allium flavum ssp. tauricum. Also covered here, are images of species closely allied with A. flavum and those that will putatively hybridize with it under garden conditions.


Allium carinatum L. is from much of Europe into Asia, naturalized elsewhere (the Brittish Isles). Informal sprays of little rose-purple, rose-pink, to white flowers dangling on very long slender pedicels, sometimes with bulbils (though many selections are bulbil-free). Illustration below showing many green bulbils from "Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen (nur Tafeln)" (1796) Stuttgart Anzahl gescannter Seiten: 883.

Allium carinatum with bulbils, Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen (nur Tafeln)

Allium carinatum ssp. pulchellum (G.Don) Bonnier & Layens is a European species that is very close to Allium flavum, flowering at the same time in June or July depending on the variety grown. The second photo is of a a dwarf bluish-purple form and a creamy white form, collected on Mt. Olympus, Greece. This is the plant that was offered by Hoog & Dix as a blue-flowered form of Allium flavum ssp. tauricum, but it is undoubtedly a "pulchellum" variant. Since the photograph shows such a confusing jumble of flowers, I circled the topic species in red. Behind the blooms are the white flowers of an Achillea and pinkish A. flavum ssp. tauricum in the foreground. Finally there is a drawing of a dark pink form. Photos #1-2 and drawing #3 by Mark McDonough. Photos 4-5 were taken by Nhu Nguyen.

Allium carinatum ssp. pulchellum, Mark McDonoughAllium carinatum ssp. pulchellum, Mark McDonoughAllium carinatum ssp. pulchellum drawing, Mark McDonoughAllium carinatum ssp. pulchellum, Nhu NguyenAllium carinatum ssp. pulchellum, Nhu Nguyen

Allium carinatum ssp. pulchellum f. album is a white form often sold by Dutch bulb dealers. Photos below by Travis Owen of an adaptable selection. It has thrived in sun and shade, though it flowers better in the sun. The leaves are nearly evergreen in irrigated beds, dying down after new leaves have already broke the soil surface. The third photo shows a tiny bee, shorter than a pencil is wide, visiting the florets. The last photo shows the seed pods, like most Alliums the florets turn up for the seeds to ripen.

Allium carinatum ssp. pulchellum f. album, Travis OwenAllium carinatum ssp. pulchellum f. album, Travis OwenAllium carinatum ssp. pulchellum f. album, Travis OwenAllium carinatum ssp. pulchellum f. album, Travis OwenAllium carinatum ssp. pulchellum f. album seed pods, Travis Owen

Allium convallarioides Grossh. is a European species that's not generally in cultivation. It is a pleasing species with handsome umbels of white flowers. It is similar in appearance to Allium paniculatum L. and Allium pallens L., but in this species the slightly "ballooned" hollow leaves distinguish it from the other species. It flowers in June and July. Photos by Mark McDonough.

Allium convallarioides, Mark McDonoughAllium convallarioides, Mark McDonough

Allium flavum L. is native to the Mediterranean. It is one of the species which has been selected for numerous color forms as seen in the entries below. The first two photos below were taken by Nhu Nguyen at the UC Botanical Garden in August 2008. The particular accession was collected from France. It grows under the shades of oak trees where it gets filtered sunlight. The next two photos from Mary Sue Ittner, including one with a pollinator.

Allium flavum, Nhu NguyenAllium flavum, Nhu NguyenAllium flavum, Mary Sue IttnerAllium flavum, Mary Sue Ittner

Allium flavum ssp. tauricum (Besser ex Rchb.) K.Richt. (syn. Allium paczoskianum Tuzson) "selected mixed colors" photo taken July 8, 2002 followed by "Selected mixed colors in the morning". You have to love these things; the colors are so lovely, refreshing, and variable. Due to their pastel flower colors, and the fact the florets are waxy and have an underlying color, then covered with a dusty "bloom" or powder of another color on the outside, the color rendition is hard to characterize and each looks very different depending on light and time of day. I particularly like to observe them in the low morning light. Notice too, the wide, boat-shaped spathe valves that mix in with the flower heads, more pronounced on some specimens than others. Photos by Mark McDonough.

Allium flavum ssp. tauricum - mixed colors, Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum - mixed colors in the morning, Mark McDonough

Named Color Forms - The following list represents a sampling of named color forms that I selected over the past several years. All photos by Mark McDonough.

The first two photos below are of 'Boston Baked Beans' and the third shows 'Cantaloupe' and 'Tan'. The fourth photo is of 'Cinnamon' - one of my favorite colors, and the first to be selected in the deep orange range. The color changes over it's bloom cycle, but in general could be characterized as a burnt brownish or burnt reddish-orange. As with most "tauricums", the growth is compact and stocky, typically 8"-10" (20-25 cm) in height, clumping well, and with gray or silvered foliage, the silver patina most evident on the stems.

Allium flavum ssp. tauricum 'Boston Baked Beans', Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum 'Boston Baked Beans', a view of this beauty with white boat-like spathe segments, Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum 'Cantaloupe' and 'Tan', Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum 'Cinnamon', Mark McDonough

The first two photos show 'Drawn Butter' and 'Hot Cauldron 1'. The third photo is of 'Hot Molasses' followed by two of 'Lemon Cooler' the latter is one of the more lively colored selections I made in summer 2001 with orangy-yellow and pink flowers. There was a "Hot Cauldron 2" selected as well. I believe both were lost over winter due to rodent predation, but I did save seed. In the foreground is a dwarf, deep pink form just "going over".

Allium flavum ssp. tauricum 'Drawn Butter', Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum 'Hot Cauldron 1', Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum 'Hot Molasses', Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum 'Lemon Cooler' at dusk, Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum 'Lemon Cooler' at Marsha's, Mark McDonough

Photos of 'Lindsey', 'Pastel Parasol', 'Silver Shrimp', and 'Truely Faded', the last in bud, showing the striking silver coloration of stems and spathes.

Allium flavum ssp. tauricum 'Lindsey', Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum 'Pastel Parasol', Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum 'Silver Shrimp', Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum 'Truely Faded', Mark McDonough

Unnamed Color Forms - The following list show yet more variation in flower color and plant form. All photos by Mark McDonough.

First mixed colors, 2 yr. old seedlings, then 3 yr old seedlings, an orange form at late anthesis, ageing to rose, and orange and pink forms from a squirrel's eye view.

Allium flavum ssp. tauricum, Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum, Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum, Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum, Mark McDonough

Photos below illustrate orange, pastel two-toned yellow and orange form and pink, a light yet lively form with blue-white stems, a robust wiry-leafed form with bright pink flowers, tawny pastels in pale melon colors, and white-aging-pinkish, and an orange-aging-rose form.

Allium flavum ssp. tauricum, Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum, Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum, Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum, Mark McDonoughAllium flavum ssp. tauricum, Mark McDonough

Allium paniculatum L. The ubiquitous Allium paniculatum is found throughout Europe, North Africa, Asia, including China. Several subspecies are named, and in all of them, the diversity of forms is rather pronounced. The first photo by Mark McDonough shows a "tall white and brown form" is a nice attractive form growing up to 2' tall (60 cm) with a higher bud count than many paniculatum forms, spilling over with nodding bowl-shaped florets of white, subtlety stained pale olive-tan. The second photo is by Nhu Nguyen taken at the UC Botanical Garden where it has escaped and can be found on dry hillsides. In mediterranean climates, this species blooms in spring, goes dormant in late summer and grows leaves throughout winter.

Allium paniculatum, Mark McDonoughAllium paniculatum, Nhu Nguyen

"Dwarf reddish form" - This species occurs in a wide variety of colors. The one shown here is a common theme; basically having white flowers flushed and edged with brownish red. Growing only about 4"-6" (10-15 cm), it is well suited to the sunny rock garden in sandy soil. Photo and drawing by Mark McDonough.

Allium paniculatum, Mark McDonoughAllium paniculatum, Mark McDonough

Allium paniculatum ssp. fuscum (Waldst. & Kit.)Arang., (a synonym of Allium fuscum Waldst. & Kit.) 'Jerry' - Of the dwarf reddish flowered forms of Allium paniculatum I liked this form the best, given to me by Jerry Flintoff. The white flowers are so generously tinged red that the mass of little flower sprays appears a pale flesh color when in bloom in July. Photo by Mark McDonough.

Allium paniculatum, Mark McDonough


Allium sibthorpianum Schult. & Schult.f. is a gem among many fantastic species native to Turkey. It's a tiny, clustering, rock garden sort that's ideal in troughs, well drained containers, or sand beds out in the garden. The key here is excellent drainage. This species looks something like Allium flavum ssp. tauricum (Besser ex Rehb.)K.Richt. and A. paniculatum L. in the shape and disposition of the little dangled bell florets, and several other diagnostic characteristics shared by this group of allied species. The flowers appear in June, the clusters of silvery pink bells are held atop chunky stems only 2"-3" (5-8 cm). As the flowers age, the florets deepen to a raspberry rose color and turn upright. I believe that this species hybridizes with Allium flavum ssp. tauricum, giving rise to dwarf, earlier flowering progeny. In the bud stage, it's intriguing how the buds appear as contorted prostrate snakes! In the final view of Alliums growing in a trough, we see Allium sibthorpianum and a couple of pale-flowered forms of Allium flavum ssp. tauricum. Photos 1-5 by Mark McDonough. Photo #6 was taken by Arnold Trachtenberg of a pot grown from NARGS seed in 2000.

Allium sibthorpianum, Mark McDonoughAllium sibthorpianum, Mark McDonoughAllium sibthorpianum, Mark McDonoughAllium sibthorpianum, Mark McDonoughAllium sibthorpianum and Allium flavum ssp. tauricum, Mark McDonoughAllium sibthorpianum, Arnold Trachtenberg


Allium sieheanum Hausskn. ex Kollmann is a dwarf Turkish species that resembles a miniature version of Allium carinatum ssp. pulchellum (Regel)Bonnier & Layens, with procumbent wiry stems, and numerous tiny rose purple flowers suspended on very long pedicels of the same intense rose color. Blooms in June-July. Photo by Mark McDonough. The second image is a black and white drawing from Mark McDonough. It illustrates a form from Turkey, originally from the MacPhail and Watson expedition back in the 1970s; the heads of bloom varied from loose and open, to tight and globular. The drawing shows the beautiful form with tight, globular heads of blue-purple floret.

Allium sieheanum, Mark McDonoughAllium sieheanum, Mark McDonough


Allium index -All alliums - American alliums A-F - American alliums G-Z - Big Ball alliums - Blue alliums - Chives - Domed alliums - Drumstick alliums - Rhizomatous alliums


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