This species came misidentified from Chen Yi
as A. aciphyllum (a species with very narrow needle-like foliage).
Of the bulbs I received, two different species with broad leaves
resulted. In the photo below, the strap-shaped
foliage is that of Allium prattii, and the two oval-shaped leaves are that
of Allium ovalifolium var. ovalifolium,
One of several Chinese allium species with hosta-like leaves. There are
two other varieties of Allium ovalifolium.
Inhabiting forests and thickets, in damp situations, this species needs to
be grown in some shade, in a well-
drained yet humus-enriched soil, and watered regularly during the growing
season.
The stem was only 8" tall, the flowers opening mid July (photo taken
July 15, 2007).
The flower head appears "feathery"
because of the narrow pointed tepals and long stamens.
The flowers attracted ants, yet even with all of their activity, no seed
capsules were formed.
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