9. Allium vineale L. (field garlic)

Pl. 99 j; Map 403

Bulbs 1–2 cm long, ovoid to nearly globose, the outer coat smooth and papery. Aerial stems 30–100 cm long, not inflated, erect at flowering. Leaves in the lower 1/3–1/2 of the aerial stems, 10–30 cm long, 1–2 mm in diameter, tubular, circular to oval in cross-section and hollow, linear, not tapering to a petiole, the sheaths green to white. Umbels with 0–100 or more normal flowers, some or all (in f. compactum (Thuill.) Asch.) of the flowers replaced by sessile bulblets. Flower stalks much longer than the flowers. Perianth more or less tubular, the sepals and petals 3–5 mm long, narrowly ovate-triangular, the tips pointed, purplish pink or pink, less commonly white or greenish white. Fruits 3–5 mm long, narrowly ovoid, trigonous to somewhat 3-lobed, the angles or lobes with a thickened ridge. 2n=16, 32, 40. May–July.

Introduced, common nearly throughout Missouri (native of Europe and Asia, widely naturalized in the eastern U.S. west Kansas). Disturbed prairies, margins of mesic upland and bottomland forests, pastures, roadsides, railroads, cultivated fields, and various other disturbed areas.

This species is an agricultural weed. When eaten by cows, it causes the milk to acquire an onion flavor. The bulblets also contaminate grain harvests.