Allium altaicum
Pallas
Altai onion
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Summary
Source: WikipediaAllium altaicum is a species of onion native to Asiatic Russia (Altay, Buryatiya, Zabaykalsky Krai, Irkutsk, Tuva, Amur Oblast), Mongolia, Kazakhstan and northern China (Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang and Xinjiang).
Description
An onion family plant with a bulb. The plant grows up to 30 cm high. The bulbs are formed in clusters on a rhizome and are 4 cm wide.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The bulbs, which form in clusters on a rhizome and grow up to 4cm wide, can be eaten raw or cooked. Leaves are edible raw or cooked. Flowers can be eaten raw and used as a garnish on salads.
Traditional Uses
The bulb is eaten raw or cooked. It is used for flavouring. The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. The flowers are eaten raw as a garnish on salads.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
No specific medicinal uses have been recorded for this species, but members of this genus are generally considered healthy dietary additions. They contain sulphur compounds responsible for their onion flavour, and regular consumption is thought to help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system, and support the circulatory system.
Known Hazards
Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible.
Distribution
It is a cold temperate plant. It grows naturally in rocky areas from Siberia to Mongolia. It prefers a sunny position in a light well drained soil. It can do well in moist and acid soils.
Where It Grows
Asia, Central Asia, China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia,
Cultivation
An easily grown plant, it prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil. Succeeds in moist and acid soils. This species is probably an ancestor of the Welsh onion, A. fistulosum and as such is a potential genetic resource. Bees are very fond of the flowers of this plant. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring in a cold frame. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle — placing three per pot will produce clumps more quickly. Grow on in a greenhouse through at least the first winter, then plant out into permanent positions in spring once growing vigorously. Divide in spring. Plants can be divided successfully at any point during the growing season; pot divisions in a cold frame or greenhouse until growing well before planting out into permanent positions.
Other Uses
The growing plant is said to repel insects and moles. It is also noted for attracting wildlife.
Notes
There are about 300-700 Allium species. Most species of Allium are edible (Flora of China). All alliums are edible but they may not all be worth eating! They have also been put in the family Alliaceae.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Luk altajskij
References (11)
- Friesen, N. et al. 1999. RAPDs and noncoding chloroplast DNA reveal a single origin of the cultivated Allium fistulosum from A. altaicum (Alliaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 86:554–562.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List of wild edible plants in Mongolian cuisine
- Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 311
- Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 3
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Show all 11 references Hide references
- Reise russ. Reich. 2:737. 1773
- Ryabushkina, N., et al, 2008, Brief Review of Kazakhstan Flora and Use of its Wild Species. The Asian and Australasian Journal of Plant Science and Biotechnology
- Urgamal, M., et al, 2014, Conspectus of the Vascular Plants of Mongolia. Mongolia Academy of Sciences Institute of Botany and National University of Mongolia Department of Biology. p 46
- Wiersema, J. H. & Leon, B., 2013, World Economic Plants. A Standard Reference CRC Press. 2nd Ed. p 33
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Zhang, Y., et al, Yunatov’s Records of Wild Edible Plant Used by the Mongols in Mongolia During 1940- 1951: Ethnobotanical Arrangements and Discussions. Inner Mongolia Normal University. p 7
