central Asia
Bulbs comprising 5–15+ bulbels (cloves), depressed-ovoid, 3–6 × (1.5–)3–8 cm; outer coats enclosing bulbs, white to light brown, membranous, without reticulation; inner coats white, not appearing cellular. Leaves withering from tip by anthesis, 6–12, sheathing ± 1/2 scape; blade solid, flat, carinate, 20–100 cm × 5–20 mm, margins and keel scabrous, apex acute. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, terete, 25–100+ cm × 4–10 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, compact, 0–20-flowered, globose, with bulbils, flowers usually aborted in bud; spathe bract caducous, 1, 3-veined, ovate, apex beaked, beak much longer than base. Flowers, when present, ± campanulate, 3–5 mm; tepals erect, greenish white to pink, outer lanceolate, inner ovate-lanceolate, ± equal, withering without developing, margins entire, apex acute; ovary crestless; pedicel 10–20 mm. Seed coat not known; fruits usually abortive or without seeds.
Flowering Jun--Jul. Roadsides and disturbed areas; introduced; widely cultivated.