Can you help me identify this?

[lb5253]

Can help me identify this plant please? Not sure if it is a wildflower or a grass. Flowers are on one long stem which splits into multiple stems each with a white flower at the end.

Photo of a whole head:



And a flower in close up:



Photos were taken at Clyst St George in Devon.

Many thanks,
Lesley

[ceterach]

It looks like an Allium ssp possibly A.triquetrum without a green stripe down the petals but I think, because of the rounded ends to the petals it is more likely to be a real garden escape, A.neapolitanum (I don't know about the green stamens!!). I like that second photo, white flowers are difficult.

P.S. Grasses don't have flowers like that!!

[Paul mabbott]

".. or a grass." Does that mean that the leaves are grass-like - this is a monocotyledon?
The flowerhead looks very like an Allium - onion/garlic. Ransomes, Allium ursinum are now coming into flower - these are woodland/hedgerow plants with broad leaves. There is another native onion which has pinkish flowers but also several naturalised exotics. What do the leaves look like?

Originally Posted by lb5253

Can help me identify this plant please? Not sure if it is a wildflower or a grass. Flowers are on one long stem which splits into multiple stems each with a white flower at the end.

Photo of a whole head:



And a flower in close up:



Photos were taken at Clyst St George in Devon.

Many thanks,
Lesley

[Kayleigh]

It looks a bit like my agapanthus but its too early for African lilies and they are not wild. Nice plant and photos though.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by ceterach

It looks like an Allium ssp possibly A.triquetrum without a green stripe down the petals but I think, because of the rounded ends to the petals it is more likely to be a real garden escape, A.neapolitanum (I don't know about the green stamens!!). I like that second photo, white flowers are difficult.
P.S. Grasses don't have flowers like that!!

You beat me to it! Yes, A. triquetrum is quite widespread. I don't think A. neopolitanum is this green - but my memory may be failing me.
Cheers, Paul
PS: "Allium ssp" is wrong - sp is used for species in the singular, spp for species in the plural but ssp for sub-species.

[Tiggrx]

This is Allium neapolitanum. A. triquetrum has flowers drooping to one side - they also don't open so widely and are striped green.

[ceterach]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

PS: "Allium ssp" is wrong - sp is used for species in the singular, spp for species in the plural but ssp for sub-species.

Thanks for that Paul, believe me or not it was a typo (at least that is my story and I'm sticking to it ).

[ceterach]

Originally Posted by ceterach

(I don't know about the green stamens!!)

My second typo (!!!) when I meant anthers!!

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by ceterach

My second typo (!!!) when I meant anthers!!

That is something I'm likely to do myself! giving the name of the whole to the part ...
For anyone who isn't sure what we're talking about, there's a simple diagram at: http://www.ase.org.uk/sen/pdf/invest...lants/SAPS.pdf
Interesting page that - suggestions as to how to go about identifying, investigating and measuring flowers ....

[ceterach]

Well, if we are into self-flagellation, I should have said perianth instead of petals!!

I shall have to proof read my mails more carefully, win't I