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(c) 2010 Ken Fern, Plants For A Future |
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| (c) 2010 Ken Fern, Plants For A Future |
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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Allium sphaerocephalon 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 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
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 and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Root
Edible Uses:
Edible bulb - raw or cooked[2, 46, 61, 177]. An onion substitute[22]. The bulbs are up to 35mm in diameter[200]. Leaves - raw or cooked[177]. They can be dried for later use[183]. 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.
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
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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
Attracts Wildlife
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
An easily grown plant[203]. it prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[1, 90]. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant[190]. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[1]. 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]. Plants often divide freely at the roots[233]. A good bee plant[163]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[203]. The flowers are sometimes replaced with bulbils[90]. 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:
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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. The plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season, pot up the divisions in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing well and then plant them out into their permanent positions.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia) EUROPE: United Kingdom, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Russian Federation-European part (European part (south)), Belarus, Russian Federation (Kalmykija, Respublika, Saratov, Volgogradskaja oblast), Ukraine, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Romania, Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Algeria, Egypt (north), Morocco, Tunisia
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 Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Allium acuminatum | Hooker's Onion, Tapertip onion | Bulb | 0.3 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Allium aflatunense | Persian Onion, Ornamental Onion | Bulb | 1.0 |
4-8
| M | LM | N | M | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium akaka | | Bulb | 0.2 |
7-10
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium altaicum | | Bulb | 0.3 |
-
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium ampeloprasum | Wild Leek, Broadleaf wild leek | Bulb | 1.8 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | DM | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Allium ampeloprasum babingtonii | Babington's Leek | Bulb | 1.8 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Allium angulare | | Bulb | 0.0 |
-
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium angulosum | Mouse Garlic | Bulb | 0.5 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium atropurpureum | | Bulb | 1.0 |
7-10
| | LM | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium bisceptrum | Aspen Onion, Twincrest onion | Bulb | 0.3 |
7-10
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium bodeanum | | Bulb | 0.2 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium bolanderi | Bolander's Onion | Bulb | 0.2 |
6-9
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium brevistylum | Shortstyle Onion | Bulb | 0.5 |
-
| | LM | N | MWe | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium canadense | Canadian Garlic, Meadow garlic, Fraser meadow garlic, Hyacinth meadow garlic | Bulb | 0.5 |
4-8
| | LM | SN | MWe | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Allium canadense mobilense | Canadian Garlic | Bulb | 0.5 |
4-8
| | LM | SN | MWe | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium carinatum | Keeled Garlic | Bulb | 0.6 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium carolinianum | | Bulb | 0.4 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium cepa | Onion, Garden onion | Bulb | 0.6 |
4-10
| | LM | N | M | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Allium cepa aggregatum | Potato Onion | Bulb | 1.2 |
4-8
| | LM | N | M | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Allium cepa ascalonicum | Shallot | Bulb | 0.3 |
4-8
| | LM | N | M | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Allium cepa proliferum | Tree Onion, Walking Onion | Bulb | 1.2 |
4-8
| | LM | N | M | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Allium cernuum | Nodding Onion, New Mexican nodding onion | Bulb | 0.5 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | M | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Allium chinense | Rakkyo | Bulb | 0.3 |
6-9
| | LM | N | M | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium condensatum | | Bulb | 0.6 |
4-8
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium cupanii | | Bulb | 0.3 |
7-10
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium douglasii | Douglas' Onion | Bulb | 0.3 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium dregeanum | Wild Onion | Bulb | 0.6 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium drummondii | Prairie Onion, Drummond's onion | Bulb | 0.3 |
6-9
| | LM | N | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allium fistulosum | Welsh Onion | Bulb | 0.6 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | M | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Allium flavum | Small Yellow Onion, Ornamental Onion | Bulb | 0.5 |
4-7
| M | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 2 | 1 |
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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
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Botanical References
17200
Links / References
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Readers comment
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