Allium tuberosum

Allium tuberosum (garlic chives, Oriental garlic, Asian chives, Chinese chives, Chinese leek) is a species of plant native to the Chinese province of Shanxi, and cultivated and naturalized elsewhere in Asia and around the world. It has a number of uses in Asian cuisine.

Description

An onion family plant. It is a herb which keeps growing year after year. It can be 40 cm high. It grows in clumps. These onions have rhizomes but no real bulbs. The leaves are long and grass like, and flat and solid. They are 15-30 cm long and about 5 mm wide. The young leaves are erect but the mature leaves bend gracefully down. The blades of the leaves are not folded length-wise, as are those of garlic and leek. Flowers are white. The flowers are produced at the top of a flower stalk which grows from the underground stem. The flower head is round due to the small flowers being on the same length stalks and arising from the same point. The flower stalk can be 45 cm long. A dense clump of plants is produced.

Edible Uses

The leaves have a mild flavour — something between garlic and chives — and are delicious raw in salads. Lengthy cooking destroys their flavour. Available from early spring through late autumn, they contain approximately 2.6% protein, 0.6% fat, 2.4% carbohydrate, and 0.95% ash, along with small amounts of vitamins A, B1, and C. The bulbs are quite small, around 10mm in diameter, and grow in clusters on a short rhizome; they can be eaten raw or cooked. The flowers and flower buds are also edible raw or cooked, making a delicious flavouring and attractive garnish for autumn salads. The root is edible raw or cooked. An edible oil can be extracted from the seed.

Traditional Uses

The leaves and young flowers are used to flavour foods. The bulbs are used like garlic.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The whole plant is antibacterial, cardiac, depurative, digestive, stimulant, stomachic, and tonic. It acts as an anti-emetic herb and supports kidney function, and is used internally to treat urinary incontinence and kidney and bladder weaknesses. The seed is carminative and stomachic, and is used in India in the treatment of spermatorrhoea. The leaves and bulbs can be applied externally to bites, cuts, and wounds.

Known Hazards

Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in very large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible.

Distribution

A temperate plant. They are native to eastern Asia. Seeds are rarely formed in the lowland tropics. It is naturalised in S China. In Indonesia it grows up to 2,200 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Cook Islands, Cuba, East Timor, Fiji, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Slovenia, Taiwan, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Indies,

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it prefers a sunny position in a rich moist but well-drained soil. Tolerates most soils, including clay. Tolerant of dry soils, established plants also resist drought. Tolerates some shade, even in N.W. England. The roots penetrate up to 50cm into the soil. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.2 to 8.3. This plant succeeds in temperate and tropical climates. It appears to be fully hardy in Britain. Plants tolerate 40 degrees of frost in Manchuria (the report does not say if this is fahrenheit or centigrade). Plants remain green until temperatures fall below 4 - 5°c, they come into new growth in spring when temperatures go above 2 - 3°c. Often cultivated for its edible leaves and bulb in the Orient, there are many named varieties. There are two main types of cultivar, one is grown for its leaves and the other for its flowering stem.This species is being increasingly grown as a garden vegetable in Britain. A very ornamental plant, it grows well as an edging plant in the flower garden. Closely related to A. ramosum. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply. 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. Alliums are typically harvested in late spring to early summer, when the bulbs mature and the tops begin to yellow. Allium species typically flower in late spring to early summer, depending on the species and local climate conditions. Allium species generally have a moderate growth rate, with bulbs typically taking about 100 to 150 days from planting to harvest, depending on the variety and growing conditions.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame. Seed has a fairly short viability and should not be used when more than one year old. Prick out seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle — placing three plants per pot will produce clumps more quickly. Plant out in late summer if sufficiently developed, or the following spring if not. Division in early spring is very easy; plants can be divided successfully at almost any time of year and the divisions planted straight out into their permanent positions.

Other Uses

The plant's juice serves as a moth repellent, and the whole plant is said to repel insects and moles. The flowers are rich in nectar and pollen, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The bulbs, leaves, and flowers provide food for wildlife. The strong sulphur-based aroma of the plant acts as a natural pest confuser, helping to deter unwanted insects. The plant is suited to food forest plantings.

Production

Chives may be cultivated for its flowers which are plucked together with the stalks before the buds emerging from the sheath. They can also be grown for its edible leaves which have a special flavour considered fragrant by some people.

Other Information

It is cultivated as a vegetable. It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

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.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Amput di imayyaw, Bawang Kuchai, Buchu, Bunga-ghundeena, Cuchay chives, Flowering chives, Ganda, Gau choy, Guichai, Gyu-myit, He, Hom-paen, Indian leek, Jirlang, Jiu Cai, Kachaay, Kau, Kau ts'oi, Koo chye, Kuchai, Kui chaai, Kutsay, La he, Nira, Oriental garlic, Tareh, Tsoi, Yellow chives

References (69)

• Aballe, K. E., 2012, Ethnobotanical Investigation of Matigsalug Ethnic Group in Sitio Patag, Brgy. Datu Salumay, Marilog District, Davao City. University of Southeastern Philippines. Part 2 p 21
• Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 270
• Anderson, E. F., 1993, Plants and people of the Golden Triangle. Dioscorides Press. p 202
• Barrau, J., 1976, Subsistence Agriculture in Melanesia. Bernice P. Bishop Museu, Bulletin 219 Honolulu Hawaii. Kraus reprint. p 55
• Bremness, L., 1994, Herbs. Collins Eyewitness Handbooks. Harper Collins. p 142

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