Allium nigrum 'pink form'

 Allium nigrum 'pink form' - originally received as Allium auctum, that name has been
long considered a synonym of Allium nigrum.  Allium nigrum is one of the few eastern to 
central European members of the melanocrommyum alliums, usually seen in a lovely
creamy white form, with very dark green to near black central ovaries (hence the species
name).  But the species is also known to occur in lilac, pink or mauve forms, although
these are less commonly encountered in cultivation. 

This plant is very slow growing, taking many years to reach flowering from seed. The
flowers are a memorable silvery-lilac-pink color, with light green ovaries.  Basal
foliage is heavy textured, gray, and evenly tapered to a point, in good condition as
the flowers appear.  In the photo below, the two stems of A. nigrum 'pink form' (center)
grow next to Allium decipiens (right), flowering at the same time and same height.

Photos by Mark McDonough
(taken May/June 2001)

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