The scientific genus name of garlic is Allium sativum, per the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The bulb crop belongs to the class Equisetopsida, the subclass Magnoliidae, the superorder Lilianae, the order Asparagales, the family Amaryllidaceae and, finally, the genus Allium.
The Allium genus has more than 750 different species, including onions, leeks and chives. Garlic has been cultivated for thousands of years and is used throughout the world for its aromatic, spice and health-giving properties. The crop was first mentioned in writings from the ancient cultures of Egypt, Greece, India and China. Garlic is grown all over the world, mostly in temperate and tropical regions although cultivators have grown it to suit many different climates.
