Allium narcissiflorum

A species endemic to the south-western Alps, it inhabits limestone scree slopes at altitudes between 1,300 and 2,900 metres. It is fairly common in the Ligurian Alps, but less so in the Cottian, Maritime and southern Graian Alps (the National Park area also belongs to the Graian Alps, although this species is not found there). Generally speaking, in Italy it is found mainly in Piedmont, hence its common name ‘Piedmont garlic’. In Piedmont, it is a protected species.

A perennial bulbous herb, it has a subcylindrical green stem with linear, flat leaves wrapped around its base. The showy inflorescences consist of 3–8 flowers grouped in umbels that are initially pendulous, then erect. The flowers are pinkish-purple, bell-shaped, with petals rounded at the apex.

Piedmont garlic is one of the most striking species of the genus Allium, which comprises more than 50 species in the Italian flora. Its large, showy flowers – unusual for this genus – are in fact reminiscent of the more striking flowers of the daffodil, hence the epithet ‘narcissiflorum’, meaning ‘with daffodil-like flowers’.