Allium stipitatum is a species of Allium

Allium

Allium is a monocot genus of flowering plants, informally referred to as the onion genus. The generic name Allium is the Latin word for garlic....

(the onions or garlics). The epithet stipitatum means 'with a little stalk' (referring to the ovary). Some sources regard A. hirtifolium as the same species, others treat A. stipitatum and A. hirtifolium as similar but separate species. Treating them as the same, A. stipitatum occurs from Turkey

Turkey

Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...

 to Tien Shan in central Asia. It is a typical 'drumstick allium', with more-or-less spherical flower heads on tall stems, and as such has often been confused with other similar species. In Iran, the species is used for food, and has been referred to by the English name Persian shallot.

Description

A. stipitatum grows from bulbs, 3 to 6 cm in diameter, which have blackish, paper-like tunics. The 4–6 basal leaves are broad, green to greyish green in colour, and variably hairy. The leaves are normally withered by the time the bulb flowers. Flowers are borne on stems which are 60 to 150 cm tall and are arranged in an umbel

Umbel

An umbel is an inflorescence which consists of a number of short flower stalks which are equal in length and spread from a common point, somewhat like umbrella ribs....

 (a structure where the individual flowers are attached to a central point). The umbels are some 8 to 12 cm in diameter, relatively small compared to the tall stems, hence the description 'drumstick allium'. Individual flowers, of which there are many, are a typical allium shape, with a superior ovary and six tepal

Tepal

Tepals are elements of the perianth, or outer part of a flower, which include the petals or sepals. The term tepal is more often applied specifically when all segments of the perianth are of similar shape and color, or undifferentiated, which is called perigone...

s of a lilac to purple colour, around 2.5 to 5 cm long; white forms are known. Plants are described as growing in rocky slopes and fields at around 1,500 to 2,500 m.

Use in Persian cuisine

Bulbs of Allium stipitatum are eaten in Iran

Iran

Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...

, where they are called موسیر or in English 'Persian shallot'. They grow wild across the Zagros Mountains in different provinces of Iran. Most of those eaten are harvested from the wild, sliced, dried, and sold at markets. Buyers will often soak the shallots for a number of days then boil them to obtain a milder flavour. They are often crushed and mixed with yogurt. Iranians enjoy yogurt in this way, especially in restaurants and kebab-saras where just kebabs are served.

Iranian plants are among those referred to as A. hirtifolium, when distinguished from A. stipitatum.

Ornamental use

Mathew describes this species as "stately", and the easiest to grow of the tall alliums, flowering in about four years when grown from seed. In keeping with the wild habitat of the species, when grown for ornament, well-drained, sunny conditions are recommended. Care is needed in placing all the drumstick alliums, since their withered leaves are unattractive at flowering time. Davies notes that "as a bonus numerous offsets are produced"; this has the potential to make the species invasive when grown in borders.