Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 295 (1753).

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Wild leek.

Description:
Stem stout, solid, cylindrical, 60-200 cm high, leafy to the middle; bulb surrounded by few or many bulbils; leaves broad-linear, flat, 1-3 cm broad, scabrous-tuberculate on edges and keel.

Spathe caducous, usually of 1 broad bract, long-pointed but shorter than the flowers; flowers urn-shaped, purplish, very numerous, on long unequal slender pedicels (2-4 cm long), forming a rather dense globular umbel; perianth-segments acute, c. 5 mm long, usually tuberculate on the back; stamens and style protruding, the 3 inner stamens with 3-fid filaments, whose lateral points are much longer than the central anther-bearing part; strong smell of onion/garlic.

Published illustration: Grey-Wilson & Mathew (1981) Bulbs, pl. 13.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: FR, EP, NL, YP, SL, SE.   Native to the Mediterranean region and naturalised (but only in the vicinity of cultivation) in S.Aust. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: in summer.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: Black's comment on its relationship has not been verified; he wrote (1943):- "The Leek (A. porrum L.) is considered to be a cultivated form of this species with smooth leaves and no basal bulbils. Our specimens, from deserted gardens or elsewhere near settlement, probably represent the cultivated leek going back to the wild plant."

Author: Not yet available