1. Allium L., Sp. Pl. 1: 294 (1753).
Milula Prain.
Taxon Description
Herbs with a strong smell of onion or garlic. Roots thick, thin, or rarely tuberous. Bulb with a membranous or leathery tunic, either parallel- or reticulate-veined, without a neck or pseudo stem. Leaves basal or on lower half of stem, linear, elliptic-oblong to lanceolate or sometimes differentiated into blade and petiole, shorter, longer or subequal to the scape, bases sheathing. Scape hollow, terete or sometimes 3-angled and narrowly 3-winged. Inflorescence a scapose umbel, sometimes a spike, with few to many flowers, enclosed in bud by a persistent or caducous, 1–3-valved spathe. Flowers small, actinomorphic, pedicellate or sessile. Perianth with variable color (white to greenish-white, greenish yellow, pink, red, purple or pale blue), funnel-shaped. Tepals free at base. Stamens subequal, inserted at base of tepals. Corona absent. Ovary superior, ovules usually 2 per locule. Style simple, longer or shorter than the stamens. Stigma entire or 3-cleft. Capsule globose-oblong-obovoid or obcordate, loculicidal. Seeds black, angular or rounded.
Taxon Statistics
Worldwide about 920 species, primarily in northern temperate regions. Twelve species in Nepal, including one endemic species.
Exotic species of Allium which are cultivated in Nepal, but not known to be naturalized, such as Allium ascalonicum (shallot), Allium cepa (onion), Allium fistulosum (spring onion), Allium sativum (garlic) and Allium schoenoprasum (chives) are neither described nor included in the key.
Key to Species
1a Inflorescence a terminal spike. Flowers sessile ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8. A. spicatum
b Inflorescence a hemispheric to globose umbel. Flowers pedicellate ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2
2a Tunic of bulb with reticulate or subreticulate venation ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3
b Tunic of bulb with parallel or subparallel venation ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6
3a Bulbs usually clustered. Tunic bright red ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6. A. przewalskianum
b Bulbs usually solitary or rarely clustered. Tunic light yellow to greyish or blackish brown …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
4a Leaves linear, 1–4 mm wide. Perianth light blue or white. Style ca. 1–2 mm ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1
b Leaves oblanceolate or elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 5–45 mm wide. Perianth pale purple-red to pink. Style 3–4 mm ………………………………………………………………………….5
5a Leaves usually elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, base gradually narrowed into an obscure petiole. Inflorescence hemispheric, usually 8–65 flowered ……………..5. A. prattii
b Leaves usually oblanceolate to broadly elliptic, base evidently petiolate, petiole 1–5 cm. Inflorescence a hemispheric to globose umbel, usually 20–40 flowered …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..11. A. victorialis
6a Tunic with sub-reticulate venation. Leaves 2 or 3. Spathe 1-valved. Pedicels 2–4 mm. Perianth light blue. Anthers greyish yellow, ca. 0.6 mm …………..7. A. sikkimense
b Tunic with reticulate venation. Leaves 3–5. Spathe usually 2-, rarely 3-valved. Pedicels 10–20 mm. Perianth white. Anthers white, ca. 1.5 mm ……………………………………7
7a Leaves keeled beneath. Scape 3-angled, sometimes narrowly 3-winged …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12. A. wallichii
b Leaves not keeled beneath, Scape terete, unwinged …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8
8a Roots tuberous, 3–5 mm diameter. Bulbs ca. 0.5–1.5 mm diameter ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1
b Roots not tuberous, 0.5–1.5 mm diameter. Bulbs ca. 10–20 mm diameter ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9
9a Tunic white, papery. Spathe 2-valved, usually caducous, rarely persistent. Ovary obovoid ……………………………………………………………………………………………….3. A. hookeri
b Tunic purple or yellowish to light red brown. Spathe 2- or rarely 3-valved usually persistent, rarely caducous. Ovary globose or ellipsoid ………………………………………..10
10a Tunic purple brown. Leaves usually 3 or 4, apex acute. Perianth white with pink median lines …………………………………………………………………………………….9. A. stracheyi
b Tunic yellowish to light brown or red-brown. Leaves usually 4–6, apex obtuse. Perianth pinkish white or purple ………………………………………………………………………………11
11a Bulbs paired, rarely solitary. Tunic yellowish to light red brown. Scape 15–60 cm. Inflorescence usually 30–50-flowered, dense. Perianth pinkish purple. Ovary globose ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1. A. carolinianum
b Bulbs clustered. Tunic light brown. Scape 15–30 cm. Inflorescence 12–40-flowered, lax. Perianth pinkish white. Ovary ellipsoid …………………………………..4. A. hypsistum
1. Allium carolinianum Redouté, Liliac. 2(17) Pl.101 (1804).
Allium aitchisonii Boiss.; A. blandum Wall.; A. obtusifolium Klotzsch; A. polyphyllum Kar. & Kir.; A. thomsonii Baker.
Bulbous herb, 15–70 cm. Bulbs paired or rarely solitary, ovoid-cylindric, ca. 2 cm in diameter, tunic yellowish to light red-brown, parallel-veined, roots ca. 0.5–1 mm diameter. Leaves 5 or 6, basal, linear, 10–25 × 0.4–1.5 cm, shorter than scape, not keeled beneath, apex obtuse. Scape 15–60 cm, terete, leaf sheaths present for ca. ½ of its length. Spathe 2-valved, persistent. Inflorescence a dense, globose umbel, usually 30–50-flowered, 1.5–3 cm across. Pedicels subequal, 5–9 mm. Perianth pink purple, 6–8 mm. Outer tepals oblong to oblong-elliptic, 4–8 × 1–2.5 mm, apex obtuse or rarely retuse, inner tepals oblong, subequal to slightly longer than outer. Filaments subequal, 7–9 mm, subulate, anthers white or brown, ca. 0.7 mm. Ovary globose, ca. 2 × 1.5 mm. Style ca. 1.5 mm. Capsule ±globose. Seeds black, elliptic, oblong or ovate, ca. 3.5 mm long, rhomboidal or spheroidal.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, E Asia, N Asia, C Asia and SW Asia.
Altitudinal range: 2,300–5,100 m.
Ecology: Scrub, dry slopes and rock crevices.
Flowering: June–September. Fruiting: June–September.
Capsule and seed descriptions taken from Flora of Pakistan and Flora of China.
The entire plant is used medicinally and for food.
2. Allium fasciculatum Rendle, J. Bot. 44: 42 (1906).
Allium gageanum W.W.Sm.
Bulbous herb, 10–50 cm. Bulb(s) solitary or clustered, narrowly cylindric, ca. 0.5–1.5 cm in diameter, tunic pale brown-creamy, parallel-veined, roots tuberous, ca. 3–5 mm diameter. Leaves 3–6, subbasal, linear, 8–45 cm × 1–4 mm, longer or sometimes shorter than scape, not keeled beneath, apex acute. Scape 7–40 cm, terete, leaf sheaths present for ca. ¼ of its length. Spathe 1- or 2-valved, persistent or caducous. Inflorescence a lax, hemispheric to globose umbel, usually 18–35-flowered, 1–3.5 cm across. Pedicels subequal, 5–15 mm. Perianth white to greenish yellow, 3–8 mm. Outer tepals narrowly lanceolate, 3–6 × 1.5–2 mm, apex acute or notched, inner tepals lanceolate-oblong, subequal to slightly longer than outer. Filaments subequal, ca. 5 mm, subulate, anthers greyish yellow, ca. 0.7 mm. Ovary globose, ca. 3 × 2 mm. Style ca. 3.5 mm. Capsule segments obcordate, 2.8–3.6 × 3.2–3.8 mm. Seeds black, rhomboidal or spheroidal.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, Assam-Burma and E Asia.
Altitudinal range: 2,800–4,500 m.
Ecology: Grassy, open, moist slopes, meadows, dry sandy soil.
Flowering: July–September. Fruiting: July–September.
Capsule and seed descriptions taken from Flora of China and Flora of Bhutan.
The entire plant is used medicinally and for food.
3. Allium hookeri Thwaites, Enum. Pl. Zeyl. [Thwaites] [5]: 339 (1864).
Bulbous herb, ca. 35 cm. Bulb(s) solitary or clustered, narrowly cylindric, ca. 1 cm in diameter, tunic white, papery, parallel-veined, roots ca. 1 mm diameter. Leaves 4 or 5, subbasal, linear, 12–25 cm × 2–5 mm, shorter than or subequal to the scape, not keeled beneath, apex acute. Scape ca. 30 cm, terete, leaf sheaths present for ca. ¼ of its length. Spathe 2-valved, usually caducous, rarely persistent. Inflorescence a hemispheric to globose umbel, usually 15–20-flowered, ca. 1.2 cm across. Pedicels subequal, 5–7 mm. Perianth white to greenish yellow, 4–5 mm. Outer and inner tepals narrowly lanceolate, 4–5 × 1–1.5 mm, apex acute or notched, subequal and similar. Filaments subequal, 2.5–3.5 mm, subulate, anthers cream, linear, 1–1.5 mm. Ovary obovoid, ca. 2 × 1.5 mm. Style ca. 1.5 mm. Capsule subglobose, ca. 3 × 3.4 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, Assam-Burma, S Asia and E Asia.
Altitudinal range: ca. 2,100 m.
Ecology: Grassy, open, moist places, forest margins, meadows.
Flowering: July–October. Fruiting: July–October.
Capsule description taken from Flora of Bhutan.
4. Allium hypsistum Stearn, Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), Bot. 2: 188 (1960).
Bulbous herb to 30 cm. Bulbs clustered, cylindric, ca. 1 cm in diameter, tunic light brown, parallel-veined, roots ca. 1–1.5 mm diameter. Leaves 4–6, subbasal, narrowly linear, 10–21 × 2–4 mm, shorter or sometimes longer than scape, not keeled beneath, apex obtuse. Scape 15–28 cm, terete, leaf sheaths present for ca. ⅓ of its length. Spathe 2- or rarely 3-valved, persistent. Inflorescence a lax, hemispheric umbel, usually 12–40-flowered, ca. 1.5–2 cm across. Pedicel subequal, ca. 2–6 mm. Perianth pinkish white, ca. 10 mm. Outer tepals elliptic, 6.5–8.5 × 2.5–3.5 mm, apex acute or obtuse, inner tepals oblong, subequal to slightly longer than outer. Filaments subequal, 3.5–6 mm, outer ones subulate, inner ones broadened for ½ of its length, anthers yellow, ca. 1 mm. Ovary ellipsoid, ca. 1 × 1 mm. Style ca. 2.5 mm. Capsule not seen.
Distribution: Endemic to Nepal.
Altitudinal range: 4,500–5,700 m.
Ecology: Open, moist, rocky places and river banks.
Flowering: July–August. Fruiting: October–November.
The leaves and bulbs are used as a condiment and medicinally.
5. Allium prattii C.H.Wright, in Forbes & Hemsley, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 36: 124 (1903).
Allium ellipticum Wall.; A. prattii var. ellipticum (Wall.) F.T.Wang & Tang; A. victorialis var. angustifolium Hook.f.
Bulbous herb, 25–75 cm. Bulbs solitary or clustered, cylindric, ca. 0.5–2 cm in diameter, tunic greyish brown to blackish brown, reticulate-veined, roots ca. 1 mm diameter. Leaves 2, basal, subopposite, usually elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 6–28 × 0.5–4.5 cm, shorter than or subequal to the scape, base gradually narrowed into an obscure petiole, not keeled beneath, apex acute or acuminate. Scape 20–70 cm, terete, leaf sheaths present for ca. ¼–⅕ of its length. Spathe 1- or 2-valved, persistent. Inflorescence a lax, hemispheric umbel, usually 8–65-flowered, 1–3.5 cm across. Pedicels subequal, 5–15 mm. Perianth purple-pale red to pink, 4–6 mm. Outer tepals narrowly ovate to ovate-oblong, 4–5 × 1.5–2 mm, apex obtuse or retuse, inner tepals oblong-lanceolate, slightly longer than outer. Filaments subequal, 3–5 mm, outer ones subulate, inner ones broadened for ½ of its length, anthers yellowish brown, ca. 1 mm. Ovary subglobose, ca. 1.3 × 1.5 mm. Style ca. 3.5 mm. Capsule rather flattened, ca. 5 × 2.5 mm, 3-seeded. Seeds black, rhomboidal or spheroidal.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau and Assam-Burma.
Altitudinal range: 2,400–4,500 m.
Ecology: Shady and damp forests, thickets, scrub, stream banks, slopes and meadows.
Flowering: June–September. Fruiting: June–September.
Capsule and seed descriptions taken from Flora of China and Flora of Bhutan.
The entire plant is used medicinally and for food.
6. Allium przewalskianum Regel, Allior. Monogr. (1875).
Allium jacquemontii Regel; A. junceum Jacquemart ex Baker; A. stoliczkii Regel.
Bulbous herb, 13–22 cm. Bulbs clustered, narrowly cylindric, ca. 0.5–1 cm in diameter, tunic bright red, reticulate-veined, roots ca. 1 mm diameter. Leaves usually 3–6, basal, narrowly linear, 7–13 cm × ca. 1 mm, shorter than or subequal to the scape, not keeled beneath, apex acute. Scape 8–16 cm, terete, covered with leaf sheaths only at base. Spathe 1-valved, persistent. Inflorescence a dense, rarely lax, hemispheric to globose umbel, usually 5–40-flowered, ca. 1.5–2 cm across. Pedicels subequal, 3–5 mm. Perianth dark purple, 5–6 mm. Outer tepals narrowly ovate, 5–6 × 2–2.5 mm, apex acute or obtuse, inner tepals oblong to oblong–lanceolate, 4–6.5 × 1.5–2.5 mm. Filaments subequal, 1.5–2 mm, outer ones subulate, inner ones broadened for ½ of its length, anthers white, ca. 0.7–1.5 mm. Ovary globose, ca. 1.4–1.5 mm. Style ca. 2 mm. Seeds black, rhomboidal or spheroidal.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, E Asia and N Asia.
Altitudinal range: 2,500–4,200 m.
Ecology: Scrub, dry slopes and rock crevices.
Flowering: June–September. Fruiting: July–October.
Seed description taken from Flora of China. Stainton 4431 from Dolpa was identified as A. przewalskianum Regel, but it differs from that species in its brown-red tunic, 3 or 4 leaves which are shorter than the scape, scape to 27 cm and lax, 12–17-flowered inflorescence with 7–12 mm pedicels. Its identity is uncertain, but it may represent new species.
The entire plant is used medicinally and for food.
7. Allium sikkimense Baker, J. Bot. 12: 292 (1874).
Allium cyaneum var. brachystemon Regel; A. kansuense Regel; A. tibeticum Rendle.
Bulbous herb, 15–35 cm. Bulb(s) solitary or clustered, cylindric, ca. 0.3–0.4 cm in diameter, tunic light brown, subreticulate-veined, roots ca. 0.5 mm diameter. Leaves 2 or 3, basal, linear, 5–20 cm × ca. 1–3 mm, shorter than scape, not keeled beneath, apex acute. Scape 10–30 cm, terete, covered with leaf sheaths for ca. ⅙ of its length. Spathe 1-valved, persistent. Inflorescence a lax, hemispheric umbel, usually 4–15 flowered, ca. 1.5 cm across. Pedicels subequal, 2–4 mm. Perianth light blue, 5–8 mm. Outer tepals ovate to ovate-oblong, 5–7 × 2–3 mm, apex obtuse, inner tepals suboblong, slightly longer and wider than outer. Filaments subequal, 3–4 mm, all broadened at base, anthers grey yellow, ca. 0.6 mm. Ovary subglobose, ca. 1.7 × 2 mm. Style ca. 2 mm. Capsule ca. 3.3 × 4.2 mm. Seeds black, rhomboidal or spheroidal.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau and E Asia.
Altitudinal range: 3,000–4,800 m.
Ecology: Alpine meadows, open and moist grassy slopes, forest margins, scrub.
Flowering: July–September. Fruiting: July–September.
Capsule and seed descriptions taken from Flora of China and Flora of Bhutan.
The entire plant is used medicinally.
8. Allium spicatum (Prain) N.Friesen, Molec. Phylogen. Evol. 17(2): 216 (2000).
Milula spicata Prain, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. [Calcutta] 5: 165 (1896).
Bulbous herb, 15–55 cm. Bulb solitary, cylindric, ca. 1–2 cm in diameter, tunic greyish brown to light brown, reticulate-veined, roots ca. 1–2 mm diameter. Leaves 4–7, basal, linear, 10–40 cm × 1–3 mm, shorter than or subequal to the scape, apex acute. Scape 10–55 cm, terete, covered with leaf sheaths for ca. ½–⅓ of its length. Spathe 1- or 2-valved, persistent. Inflorescence a terminal spike, densely 40–80-flowered, ca. 1.5–3 cm tall. Flowers sessile. Perianth white slightly tinged with pink-purple, ca. 3–4 mm. Outer tepals widely ovate, 2.5–3 × 1–2 mm, apex acute, inner tepals ovate-orbicular, slightly longer and wider than outer. Filaments subequal, 4–6 mm, slender, the outer slightly broadened at base, anthers pale yellow to white, ca. 1.3 mm. Ovary globose, ca. 1.5 × 1.2 mm. Style ca. 6–7 mm. Capsule subglobose, 3–4 mm in diameter, obtusely 3-angled. Seeds black, narrowly ovate, 2–2.5 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, Tibetan Plateau and N Asia.
Altitudinal range: 3,000–4,500 m.
Ecology: Alpine grassy slopes, dry sandy soil.
Flowering: August–October. Fruiting: August–October.
Capsule and seed descriptions taken from Flora of China.
9. Allium stracheyi Baker, J. Bot. 12: 293 (1874).
Bulbous herb, 15–40 cm. Bulb(s) solitary or clustered, globose to cylindric-ovoid, ca. 1–2 cm in diameter, tunic purple-brown, parallel-veined, roots ca 0.5–1 mm diameter. Leaves usually 3 or 4, subbasal, linear, 10–25 × 1–3 mm, shorter or longer than scape, not keeled beneath, apex acute. Scape 10–35 cm, terete, covered with leaf sheaths for ⅓–¼ of its length. Spathe 2-valved, persistent. Inflorescence a lax, hemispheric umbel, usually 6–10-flowered, 1–1.5 cm across. Pedicels subequal, 4–5 mm. Perianth white, 4–5 mm, with pink median lines. Outer tepals ovate-oblong, 3–4 × 1.5–2 mm, apex acute or obtuse, inner tepals broadly oblong or ovate-oblong, slightly longer and wider than outer. Filaments subequal, 5–6 mm, linear-subulate, broadened at base, anthers blackish brown-pink, ca. 1–2 mm. Ovary globose, ca. 2.5 × 2 mm. Style ca. 1.5 mm. Capsule globose-oblong, ca. 3–4 mm. Seeds black, elliptic, ca. 3 × 1.7 mm, surface uneven.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya and S Asia.
Altitudinal range: 2,700–3,900 m.
Ecology: Dry, open slopes.
Capsule description taken from Tiwari et al. Notulae Scientia Biologicae. 6: 149. (2014).
The entire plant is used as food.
10. Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Spreng., Syst. Veg., ed. 16 [Sprengel]ed.17[as 16] 2: 38 (1825).
Allium roxburghii Kunth; A. sulvia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don; Nothoscordum sulvia Kunth.
Bulbous herb, 30–75 cm. Bulb(s) solitary or clustered, cylindric, ca. 1–1.2 cm in diameter, tunic yellowish brown, reticulate-veined, roots ca. 1–1.5 mm diameter. Leaves usually 3–5, basal, linear, 10–25 cm × 1–4 mm, shorter than scape, not keeled beneath, apex acute to obtuse. Scape 25–60 cm, terete, covered with leaf sheaths for ca. ⅕–⅙ of its length. Spathe usually 2-, rarely 3-valved, persistent. Inflorescence a lax, hemispheric to globose umbel, usually 20–35-flowered, 1.5–4 cm across. Pedicels subequal, 10–20 mm. Perianth white, 5–8 mm. Outer tepals oblong-ovate, 4–6 × 1–1.5 mm, usually with yellowish purple or green mid vein, apex acute, inner tepals oblong-obovate, 4–7 × 1.5–2 mm. Filaments subequal, ca. 2.5–3 mm, narrowly triangular, inner one slightly wider than outer at base, anthers white, ca. 1.5 mm. Ovary obconical-globose, ca. 1.4 × 1.5 mm. Style ca. 1 mm. Seeds black, obovoid, finely cellular-reticulate.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya and Assam-Burma.
Altitudinal range: 2,300–2,600 m.
Ecology: Moist, grassy slopes, forest margins.
Flowering: July–September. Fruiting: July–September.
The entire plant is used medicinally and for food, and is cultivated and naturalized around the world.
11. Allium victorialis L., Sp. Pl. 1: 295 (1753).
Bulbous herb, 25–65 cm. Bulb(s) solitary or clustered, cylindric, ca. 1–2 cm in diameter, tunic greyish brown to blackish brown, reticulate-veined, roots ca. 1–1.5 mm diameter. Leaves usually 2, basal, oblanceolate to broadly elliptic, 8–25 × 1–4 cm, shorter than or subequal to the scape, base evidently petiolate, petiole 1–5 cm, not keeled beneath, apex acute or acuminate. Scape 10–60 cm, terete, covered with leaf sheaths for ca. ½–¼ of its length. Spathe 2-valved, persistent. Inflorescence a hemispheric to globose umbel, usually 20–40-flowered, 1.5–4 cm across. Pedicels subequal, 10–15 mm. Perianth pale purple or pink, ca. 5–7 mm. Outer tepals lanceolate, 4–6 × 1–1.5 mm, apex acute or obtuse, inner tepals elliptic-ovate, slightly wider than outer. Filaments subequal, 5–6.5 mm, longer than the tepals, lanceolate-subulate, broadened at base, anthers yellow, ca. 1–2 mm. Ovary green, subglobose, 3-lobed, ca. 2 × 2 mm. Style pink, ca. 3–4 mm. Seeds black, spherical.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya and Europe.
Altitudinal range: ca. 4,000 m m.
Ecology: Forest margins, scrub, shady places, meadows.
Flowering: July–August. Fruiting: July–August.
12. Allium wallichii Kunth, Enum. Pl. [Kunth] 4: 443 (1843).
Allium violaceum Wall. ex Regel.
Bulbous herb, 15–75 cm. Bulb(s) solitary or clustered, cylindric, ca. 1–2 cm in diameter, tunic yellowish brown, venation subparallel, roots ca. 1–2.5 mm diameter. Leaves 4–7, basal, linear to oblong-lanceolate, 10–38 × 0.2–1.5 cm, shorter or sometimes longer than the scape, keeled beneath, apex acute. Scape 10–70 cm, 3-angled or narrowly 3-winged, covered with leaf sheaths for ca. ½ to ¼ of its length. Spathe 1- or 2-valved, usually caducous rarely persistent. Inflorescence a lax hemispheric umbel, usually 6–50-flowered, 1.5–3.5 cm across. Pedicels subequal, 10–30 mm. Perianth pale red-purple, rarely white, 6–9 mm. Outer tepals narrowly elliptic-ovate, 7–8.5 × 2.5–3.5 mm, apex acute or slightly notched, inner tepals oblong-elliptic, subequal to outer. Filaments subequal, 6–7 mm, subulate, anthers white or black, ca. 2.5 mm. Ovary obovoid-globose, ca. 1.8 × 1.9 mm. Style ca. 4 mm. Capsule globose to obovoid, 3-lobed, 4–6 × 5–8 mm, light brownish to yellow. Seeds oblong, 3.5–4 × 2 mm, brownish black.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, Assam-Burma and E Asia.
Altitudinal range: 2,100–4,800 m.
Ecology: Forest margins, scrub, meadows, stream banks.
Flowering: July–October. Fruiting: September–October.
Capsule description taken from Tiwari et al. Notulae Scientia Biologicae. 6: 149. (2014) and Flora of China.
The bulbs and leaves are used medicinally and for food.