Allium sativum L.

Bulb solitary, globose to applanate-globose, usually consisting of several bulbels covered with a common tunic; tunic white to purple, membranous, entire. Leaves broadly linear to linear-lanceolate, shorter than scape, to 2.5 cm wide, apex acuminate. Scape 25--50 cm, terete, covered with leaf sheaths for ca. 1/2 its length. Spathe deciduous; beak 7--20 cm. Umbel with many bulblets and few flowers. Pedicels slender, longer than perianth; bracteoles ovate, rather large, membranous, apex acute. Perianth usually pale red; outer segments ovate-lanceolate, ca. 4 × 1.4 mm; inner ones ovate, ca. 3 × 1.4 mm. Filaments shorter than perianth segments, connate at base and adnate to perianth segments; outer ones subulate; inner ones broadened at base, 1-toothed on each side, teeth with apex filiform and longer than perianth segments. Ovary globose. Style not exserted. Fl. Jul. 2 n = 16*, 48.

A temperate plant. It grows in the tropical highlands mostly between 1600 and 2200 m but will grow satisfactorily down to 500 m. In Nepal it grows to 3000 m altitude. There are kinds that will grow in hot coastal tropical places. Best bulb development occurs with temperatures up to 30°C. It is frost resistant. High humidity or high rainfall is not suitable. It is best grown in low rainfall areas with irrigation. Bulb development is favoured with long day lengths. It does best with pH 6-7. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. In Yunnan.

The cloves are used in small amounts to flavour food. The leaves can also be used. Leaves should be cut before they are mature.

Plants are grown by planting individual cloves. The individual segments of the clove are separated out then planted. A spacing of 20 cm is suitable. They should be planted into a deeply dug but firm seedbed. They are planted almost covered with fine soil. Cloves or "rounds" are best planted at the end of the wet season. Plants rarely produce fertile flowers or seed. They can be grown from seed.