Allium ledebourianum

Roem. & Schult.

Chinese Chives, Tartar scallion

Amaryllidaceae Edible: Flowers, Leaves, Root, Bulb Potential hazards — see below 43 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Allium ledebourianum is an Asian species of wild onion native to central and northeastern Asia: Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia (Altay Krai, Khabarovsk, Primorye, Sakhalin), and China (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang). It occurs at elevations up to 1800 m elevation. Allium ledebourianum has a cluster of narrow bulbs up to 20 mm across. Scapes are up to 100 cm tall. Leaves are tubular, shorter than the scape. Umbel is hemispheric, densely crowded with many purple flowers; tepals pale purple with darker purple midvein. Formerly included Allium ledebourianum var. maximowiczii (Regel) Q.S.Sun, now called Allium maximowiczii Regel

Description

An onion family plant. A bulb plant. It grows to 60 cm high. The small bulbs are formed in clusters on the rhizome and are about 1-2 cm across. The covering is greyish violet or greyish black. There are 1 or 2 leaves. They are 5-7 mm wide. The leaves are hollow. The scape is 70-80 cm long. The flowers are violet. They occur in a group in a head.

Edible Uses

The small bulbs, which form in clusters on the rhizome and measure about 10mm in diameter, can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves are edible raw or cooked and make a good addition to salads or as a flavouring in soups; their flavour resembles wild onions and chives with a hint of garlic. The flowers are edible raw and can be used as a garnish on salads.

Traditional Uses

The bulbs are eaten raw or cooked. The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. The flowers are used raw to flavour 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 additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds responsible for their onion flavour, and regular consumption can help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a digestive tonic, 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 temperate plant. It grows naturally in meadows and river valleys in Siberia. It prefers a sunny position and a light well drained soil. In China it grows in moist meadows between 100-1800 m altitude in N China. It grows in Inner Mongolia.

Where It Grows

Asia, Central Asia, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia,

Cultivation

Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply. Cultivated for its edible leaves and bulb in Japan. This species is probably no more than a synonym for A schoenoprasum. 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 once large enough to handle — placing three plants per pot will produce clumps more quickly. Grow on in the greenhouse for at least the first winter, then plant out in spring once vigorous and large enough. Divide in spring or after the plant dies down in late summer. Division is very easy and can be done at any point during the growing season; divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions if needed.

Other Uses

The plant's juice can be used as a moth repellent. The whole plant is also said to repel insects and moles.

Other Information

Cultivated for its edible leaves and bulb in Japan.

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

Allium schoenoprasum foliosumAllium uliginosum Ledeb.(1830) not G.Don(1827)

Also Known As

Asatsuki, Ledebour onion, Siu yuk, Xiao cong, Xira songgin, Ying pi cong

References (12)

Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 34
Chen Xinqi, Liang Songyun, Xu Jiemei, Tamura M.N., Liliaceae. Flora of China. p 126
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 5
Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 313
Khasbagan, Yeruhan and Zhao Hui, 2011, Study on Traditional Knowledge of Wild Edible Plants Used by the Mongolians in Xilingol Typical Steppe Area. Plant Diversity and Resources. 33(2): 239-246

Show all 12 references

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/
Seidemann J., 2005, World Spice Plants. Economic Usage, Botany, Taxonomy. Springer. p 20
Syst. veg. 7(2):1029. 1830
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 47
Woodward, P., 1996, Garlic and Friends. The History, Growth and Use of Edible Alliums. Hyland House. p 193
Zeven, A. C. & de West, J. M. J., 1982, Dictionary of cultivated plants and their regions of diversity. Wageningen. p 32