Everything about Allium totally explained
Allium is the
onion genus, with about 1250
species, making it one of the largest plant genera in the world. They are
perennial bulbous plants that produce chemical compounds (mostly cystein sulfoxide) that give them a characteristic onion or garlic taste and odor, and many are used as food plants.
Allium is classified in family
Alliaceae although some classifications have included it in the
lily family (
Liliaceae).
Allium species occur in
temperate climates of the
northern hemisphere, except for a few species occurring in Chile (as
Allium juncifolium), Brazil (
Allium sellovianum) or tropical Africa (
Allium spathaceum). They can vary in height between 5 cm and 150 cm. The
flowers form an
umbel at the top of a leafless stalk. The
bulbs vary in size between species, from very small (around 2–3 mm in diameter) to rather big (8–10 cm). Some species (such as Welsh onion,
A. fistulosum) develop thickened leaf-bases rather than forming bulbs as such.
Most bulbous alliums increase by forming little bulbs or "offsets" around the old one, as well as by
seed. Several species can form many
bulbils (tiny bulbs) in the flowerhead; in the so-called "
tree onion" (
A. cepa Proliferum Group) the bulbils are few, but large enough to be used for
pickling.
Members of the genus include many valued
vegetables such as
onions,
shallots,
leeks and
herbs such as
garlic and
chives. A strong "oniony" odor is characteristic of the whole genus, but not all members are equally flavorful.
Some
Allium species, including
A. cristophii and
A. giganteum, are used as
border plants for their flowers, and their "architectural" qualities. Several
hybrids have been bred, or selected, with rich purple flowers.
Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' is one of the most popular and has been given an
Award of Garden Merit (H4). By contrast, other species (such as the invasive
Allium triquetrum) can become troublesome garden
weeds.
Various
Allium species are used as food plants by the
larvae of some
Lepidoptera including
Cabbage Moth,
Common Swift moth (recorded on garlic),
Garden Dart moth,
Large Yellow Underwing moth,
Nutmeg moth,
Setaceous Hebrew Character moth,
Turnip Moth and
Schinia rosea, a moth which feeds exclusively on
Allium sp.
Image:Ornamental Onion Allium 'Gladiator' Flower Head 2691px.jpg|Allium 'Gladiator'
Image:Nodding.jpg|Nodding Wild Onion (Allium cernuum)
Image:Leeks.JPG|Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum)
Further Information
Get more info on 'Allium'.
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