Allium hookeri Thwaites

Roots elongate, thick, fleshy. Bulbs clustered, cylindric; tunic membranous, entire. Leaves linear to broadly so, shorter than to subequaling scape, 0.5--1 cm wide, midvein distinct. Scape lateral, usually arising from base of bulb, (10--)20--60 cm, usually without leaf sheaths, sometimes with 1. Spathe 2-valved, usually deciduous. Umbel hemispheric to globose, many flowered. Pedicels subequal, 2--3(--4) × as long as perianth, ebracteolate. Perianth white or greenish yellow to yellow; segments similar, lanceolate, 4--7.5 × 1--1.5 mm, apex acuminate, sometimes unequally 2-lobed. Filaments subulate, slightly shorter than to subequaling perianth segments, connate at base and adnate to perianth segments. Ovary obovoid, smooth, base constricted into a short stipe; ovules 1 per locule. Style longer than ovary; stigma punctiform. Fl. and fr. Jul--Oct. 2 n = 22*, 44*.

SW Sichuan, SE Xizang, NW Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka].

Forests, forest margins, moist places, meadows; 1400--4200 m.

Allium hookeri is a plant species native to India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Bhutan, and southwestern China (Sichuan, Tibet and Yunnan). Common names include Hooker chives and garlic chives. The plant is widely cultivated outside its native range, and valued as a food item in much of South and Southeast Asia.

Allium hookeri produces thick, fleshy roots and a cluster of thin bulbs. Scapes are up top 60 cm tall. Leaves are flat and narrow, about the same length as the scapes but only 1 cm across. Umbels are crowded with many white or greenish-yellow flowers.