Άλλιο το κάσσιο
The generic name "Allium" is of unknown origin, as nothing close to this word exists in Latin or Ancient Greek. It is speculated that it derives from Celtic "all", meaning "pungent, burning, hot" referring to the taste.
At least 21 species and subspecies of the Allium genus have been recorded in the wild, Cypriot habitat.
Allium cassium is considered a wild garlic native to Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, and Cyprus. Allium cassium is an uncommon plant in Cyprus. It grows only in Central Cyprus, in the Troodos Mountains region at a high altitude, between 1300–1675 metres. It blooms from May until June.
How to identify Allium cassium:
Its leaves are all basal or arising from the ground level, the sheaths (the lower part of a leaf when surrounding the stem) are not extending up the aerial parts of the stem or scape (its long flower stalk coming directly from the root). The leaves are pilose, at least along the margins and sheaths. They are 1-4 mm wide (sometimes up to 7 mm).
Its perianth has connivent segments (the one petal is touching the other).
