We need help! In recent months our income dropped considerably and we need more donations from our users to avoid getting into financial difficulty. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Allium neapolitanum - Cirillo.

Common Name Daffodil Garlic, White garlic
Family Alliaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
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[76].
Habitats Dry grassy places and fields[45, 90, 203].
Range Europe - Mediterranean area in Europe, Africa and W. Asia
Edibility Rating    (5 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Allium neapolitanum Daffodil Garlic, White garlic


(c) 2010 Ken Fern, Plants For A Future
Allium neapolitanum Daffodil Garlic, White garlic
(c) 2010 Ken Fern, Plants For A Future

 

Translate this page:

Summary

Allium neapolitanum is also known as Neapolitan Garlic, Naples Garlic, Daffodil Garlic, False Garlic, Flowering Onion, Naples Onion, Guernsey Star-of-Bethlehem, Star, White Garlic, Wood Garlic and is a perennial bulbous plant in the onion subfamily.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Allium neapolitanum is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from October to July, in flower from March to May, and the seeds ripen from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained 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

 Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked. Delicious in salads, they start off being sweet and then develop a fairly strong garlic-like flavour, they are liked by most people who try them[K]. The leaves are available from late autumn until early spring and are greatly appreciated at this time of year[K]. Bulb - raw or cooked[2, 105]. Rather small but a very nice mild garlic flavour[K]. Sliced up, they make a delicious addition to salads and can also be used as a vegetable or as a flavouring in cooked foods. They are harvested in mid summer once the plant dies down and will store for 6 months or more[K]. The bulbs are 10 - 20mm in diameter[200]. Flowers - raw or cooked. Excellent in salads, making them look attractive as well as adding a strong onion flavour[K].

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.


Although no specific mention of medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system[K].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

Repellent

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

Special Uses

Food Forest  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it prefers a sheltered sunny position in a light well-drained soil[1, 90]. Established plants are reasonably drought tolerant[190]. Plants are said to be rather frost tender[90]. They probably tolerate temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c and can only be grown outdoors in the milder areas of the country[200, K]. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c[214]. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[1]. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants[203]. A very ornamental plant, it is sometimes grown as a decorative indoor plant[1]. There is at least one named variety, 'Grandiflorum' has a richer display of flowers than the type[233]. In sunny weather the flowers develop a sweet scent[245]. Plants come into new growth in late autumn and provide edible leaves throughout most winters[K]. When well-sited, plants can sometimes self-sow to the point of nuisance[190]. 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]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[200]. The seed can also be sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in early summer. 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 on for the first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late summer whilst the bulbs are dormant. Division in summer once the plant has died down. Very easy, the bulbs divide freely and can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Sinai, Syria, Turkey (west),Cyprus. EUROPE: Former Yugoslavia, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal, AFRICA: Spain, Canarias (Tenerife), Portugal, Madeira Islands, Egypt (north).

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.

Noxious Weed Information: Arkansas (Allium wild onion, wild garlic): Noxious weed. California (Nothoscordum inodorum false garlic): B list (noxious weeds).

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Data Deficient

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Allium acuminatumHooker's Onion, Tapertip onionBulb0.3 5-9  LMNDM322
Allium aflatunensePersian Onion, Ornamental OnionBulb1.0 4-8 MLMNM221
Allium akaka Bulb0.2 7-10  LMNDM321
Allium altaicum Bulb0.3 -  LMNM321
Allium ampeloprasumWild Leek, Broadleaf wild leekBulb1.8 5-9  LMHNDM532
Allium ampeloprasum babingtoniiBabington's LeekBulb1.8 0-0  LMHNDM332
Allium angulare Bulb0.0 -  LMNM321
Allium angulosumMouse GarlicBulb0.5 4-8  LMHSNM321
Allium atropurpureum Bulb1.0 7-10  LMSNM321
Allium bisceptrumAspen Onion, Twincrest onionBulb0.3 7-10  LMNM321
Allium bodeanum Bulb0.2 -  LMNDM321
Allium bolanderiBolander's OnionBulb0.2 6-9  LMNM321
Allium brevistylumShortstyle OnionBulb0.5 -  LMNMWe321
Allium canadenseCanadian Garlic, Meadow garlic, Fraser meadow garlic, Hyacinth meadow garlicBulb0.5 4-8  LMSNMWe422
Allium canadense mobilenseCanadian GarlicBulb0.5 4-8  LMSNMWe521
Allium carinatumKeeled GarlicBulb0.6 6-9  LMHSNM321
Allium carolinianum Bulb0.4 -  LMNDM321
Allium cepaOnion, Garden onionBulb0.6 4-10  LMNM533
Allium cepa aggregatumPotato OnionBulb1.2 4-8  LMNM433
Allium cepa ascalonicumShallotBulb0.3 4-8  LMNM532
Allium cepa proliferumTree Onion, Walking OnionBulb1.2 4-8  LMNM533
Allium cernuumNodding Onion, New Mexican nodding onionBulb0.5 5-9  LMHNM522
Allium chinenseRakkyoBulb0.3 6-9  LMNM421
Allium condensatum Bulb0.6 4-8  LMNM321
Allium cupanii Bulb0.3 7-10  LMNDM321
Allium douglasiiDouglas' OnionBulb0.3 0-0  LMNDM321
Allium dregeanumWild OnionBulb0.6 -  LMNDM321
Allium drummondiiPrairie Onion, Drummond's onionBulb0.3 6-9  LMNM321
Allium fistulosumWelsh OnionBulb0.6 5-9  LMHNM522
Allium flavumSmall Yellow Onion, Ornamental OnionBulb0.5 4-7 MLMHSNM221
123

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

Cirillo.

Botanical References

45200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Marinella Zepigi   Tue Jun 10 2008

Acta plantarum forum botanico Allium neapolitanum Cirillo- Description - Photos

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Allium neapolitanum  
All the information contained in these pages is Copyright (C) Plants For A Future, 1996-2012.
Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567,
Web Design & Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Some information cannot be used for commercial reasons or be modified (but some can). Please view the copyright link for more information.