Allium wallichii

Allium wallichii is a plant species native to India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Myanmar, and parts of China (Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Sichuan, Tibet, Xizang, Yunnan). It grows at elevations of 2300–4800 m. Allium wallichii has elongate roots and clusters of narrow bulbs. Scapes are up to 110 cm tall, triangular in cross-section. Leaves are flat, up to 20 mm across, usually shorter than the scape. Flowers are white, pink, red, dark purple (sometimes almost black).

Description

An onion family plant. It is a herb which produces a bulb. It grows to about 65 cm high. The bulbs are small and clustered. The roots are long and thick. The stem base is covered with the leaf sheath. The leaves are narrow and flat. They have a garlic like smell when squeezed. The flowers are purple. They occur in clusters at the top of the plant. Some varieties have been described.

Edible Uses

Young leaves can be cooked as a vegetable, and the dried leaves are used as a condiment in curries and pickles. The bulbs, though poorly developed and quite small, can be eaten raw or cooked — the cloves serve as a garlic substitute. Flowers can be eaten raw and used as a garnish on salads.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are eaten as a vegetable. Dried leaves are used for flavouring. The cloves are used as a garlic substitute. The flowers are eaten raw and used as a garnish in salads. The plant is used for soup.

Medicinal Uses

Bulbs boiled and then fried in ghee are eaten in the treatment of cholera and dysentery. Chewing the raw bulb is used to treat coughs and colds, and eating the bulbs is said to help ease symptoms of altitude sickness. As with other members of this genus, the plant contains sulphur compounds that, when included regularly in the diet, may help reduce blood cholesterol levels, support the digestive system, and tonify 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 very large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it grows at 2400-4500 m altitude. It grows in moist, rocky places. In China it grows in forest margins and stream banks between 2300-4800 m altitude in S China. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Tibet,

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. It succeeds outdoors in N.W. England where it sets seed. 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

Seed can be sown 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 them on under glass for at least their first winter, then plant out in spring once they are vigorous and of sufficient size. Division can be done in spring, and plants can be divided successfully at any point during the growing season. Pot up the divisions in a cold frame or greenhouse until growing well before planting out into permanent positions.

Other Uses

The juice of the plant can be used as a moth repellent, and the whole plant is said to repel insects and moles.

Other Information

Plants are sold in markets.

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

Ban lasun, Ban lasun, Ban nhoo, Bathatuva, Dundu sag, Dung-dunge, Duo xing jiu, Dzimbu, Ge zi, Gobka, Gokpa, Guo guo, Jimbur, Jungli piyaj, Koje, Laadu, Lainka, Lathum, Palengu, Oang-rko-spa, Sekkwa, Sekuwa, Zimbu nagpo, Zim nak

References (26)

• Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 273
• Aryal, K. P., et al, 2018, Diversity and use of wild and non-cultivated edible plants in the Western Himalaya. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2018) 14:10
• Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 98
• Chen Xinqi, Liang Songyun, Xu Jiemei, Tamura M.N., Liliaceae. Flora of China. p 106
• Cheng, Z., et al, 2022, Ethnobotanical study on wild edible plants used by Dulong people in northwestern Yunnan, China. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2022) 18:3

More from Amaryllidaceae

Lycoris radiata - (L'Hér.)Herb.

Spider Lily, Red spider lily, Nerine Lily, Short tube Lycoris

Lycoris sanguinea

Spider Lily

Lycoris squamigera

Resurrection Lily, Hardy Amaryllis, Magic Lily, Autumn Lycoris, Naked Lady

Narcissus bulbocodium

Petticoat daffodil

Narcissus jonquilla

Jonquil

Narcissus poeticus

Poet's narcissus