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Allium_scorodoprasum - L.

Common Name Rocambole, Sand leek
Family Alliaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
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[76].
Habitats Grassland and scrub on dry soils[17].
Range Most of Europe, including Britain, east and south to W. Asia and Syria.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Allium_scorodoprasum Rocambole, Sand leek


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/8/8b/20061127004904!Illustration_Allium_scorodoprasum0.jpg
Allium_scorodoprasum Rocambole, Sand leek
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fabelfroh

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Allium_scorodoprasum is a BULB growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Bulb - raw or cooked[5, 46]. A garlic substitute[22, 27, 37, 61], it is used as a flavouring in salads, soups etc[238]. The bulbs are smaller than garlic and have a milder flavour, they are produced at the points of the stem as well as at the base[2]. The bulbs are 10 - 20mm in diameter[200]. Leaves - raw or cooked[238]. Used as a flavouring in salads etc[238]. Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The plant is digestive and depurative[178]. The bulb is used in the treatment of abscesses, amoebic dysentery, bronchitis, cholera, dysentery, influenza, skin diseases and TB[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent. The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles[20].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[1]. Thrives in poor dry soils[238]. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[1]. Many forms of this species produce numerous bulbils in the flowering head[203]. The plants can become very invasive by means of these bulbils[203]. The sub-species A. scorodoprasum jajlae and A. scorodoprasum rotundum do not produce bulbils[203]. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes[18, 20, 54]. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other[201]. Occasionally cultivated, especially in Russia, for its edible bulb[183]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle - if you want to produce clumps more quickly then put three plants in each pot. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in spring once they are growing vigorously and are large enough. Division in spring. Very easy, the plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season and the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine (Krym), Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, France

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Allium scorodoprasumRocambole, Sand leekBulb0.6 6-9  LMNDM421
Allium scorodoprasum rotundum Bulb0.5 6-9  LMHSNM421

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Henrik Norbeck   Wed Mar 8 2006

This plant grows commonly in certain woodlands here in Sweden and the best culinary use I've found for it is in spring you cut off the new shoots like "mini leeks" when they are 10-20 cm long. Then you chop them into 0.5 cm long bits and make a soup from them with potatoes or other roots or tubers. They are much milder in spring, becoming more "garlicky" later in summer.

Cipollina   Wed Mar 18 2009

This plant grows almost everywhere here where I live in the Appenninic Alps in late winter/early spring. I use it as fresh chives. It has a somewhat stronger taste than chives, and is very good in mashed potatoes. I don't use the bulbs at all, as I find them too tiny to bother with.

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