Onion Flower

Properly speaking, an Allium (i.e. Garlic).

This magnificent bloom is one of a cluster in the former 'Genetic Garden' of the University Parks. These plants are just by a short-cut to my office, and really very close to where I (used to) work. I would say that this flower-head is a good 10 cm in diameter.

There are hundreds of species within the genus Allium, and the leaves and bulbs of several are used as foods or flavourings. The characteristic onion or garlic taste and odour derive from sulphur-containing chemical compounds such as cysteine sulphoxide.

But the plants like the one in my picture are probably not for eating, but rather for admiring and wondering at the beautiful complexity of the structure and the myriad stars that contribute to it.