al·li·um 
(ălē-əm)
(ălē-əm)n.
Any of numerous, usually bulbous plants of the genus Allium, having long stalks bearing clusters of variously colored flowers and including many ornamental and food plants, such as onions, leeks, chives, garlic, and shallots.
[New Latin Allium, genus name, from Latin allium, garlic, variant of earlier ālium, probably of Mediterranean substrate origin.]