Few-flowered Leek

Allium paradoxum

As I mentioned a week or so ago, this plant is flowering in big swathes along the banks of the Water of Leith between the Sandport Bridge and the Junction St Bridge.

It is very weird; the leaves are typical strappy Allium leaves, but the flowers are these white bells, coming off at all angles from the strange little bulbils at the top of the stalk.

It was introduced to the UK from Iran a few of decades ago, and seems to like Scotland in particular, crowding out less vigorous natives.

It is interesting looking, though.