Allium suaveolens

Allium suaveolens Jacq.  - Odorous garlic
Family: Liliaceae

Nice species of wild garlic, which differs from similar species belonging to the same genus for the presence of nearly undecorticated bulb tunic. Its stamens are a little bit longer than the tepals and the floriferous stem is 60-70 cm high and cylindrical even under the inflorescence, which is light or dark pink according to the different areas were it grows. The species is mainly present in south-east Europe, but it also grows in France, Switzerland and Germany. In Italy Allium suaveolens is mostly spread in the north Adriatic coastal regions and sometimes in Piedmont. This species prefers wet habitats, even flooded, both peaty and mineral soils, but it can also stand heavy summer dessication. In Italy it characterizes two different habitats: along the coast, it is present in Molinia caerulea retro dunes (alliance Molinio-Holoschoenion); in the plain and in the lower mountains, it is present in mesophilous Molinia caerula meadow (alliance Molinion).
In the resurgence area of Friuli, the species is so widespread that it creates flower carpets in September-October. Its presence coincides with the association of the wet plain grassland (Plantagini-Molinietum caeruleae) both in the wettest sites, near the alkaline fens - often saturated with humidity, even in summer - and on clay soils, far from the water table.