Bulbs narrowly ovoid, clustered. Stems: scape rather stout, bearing below the middle one or two elongated, linear, terete, hollow leaves; other leaves basal; bracts of the umbel two, broadly ovate. Flowers: in umbels, capitate; perianth of six equal, distinct, lanceolate, one-nerved segments.

This handsome Purple Garlic with its large dense flower-heads and long hollow leaves is not at all common in the mountains, but is frequently cultivated in cottage-gardens for the sake of its beautifully coloured blossoms. Like all the Garlics, it has a very pungent odour.