Translate this page:
Summary
Physical Characteristics
Allium akaka is a BULB growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) 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 flower from July 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 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
A. latifolium.
Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Root
Edible Uses:
Bulb - raw or cooked[46, 61, 105, 177]. Used as an onion substitute[22]. The whole of the young plant is said to be a great delicacy and is used as an addition to rice in a pilau[2, 183]. The bulb is 15 - 30mm wide[200]. Leaves - raw or cooked. 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
Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.
An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.
Read More
Other Uses
Repellent
The growing 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 dry to moist soil[1]. Bulbs are not hardy in all parts of Britain, they probably tolerate temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c but because of their need for a very well-drained dry to moist soil are probably best grown in a bulb frame[90]. The plants need a dry period in late summer when they are dormant in order to fully ripen the bulb[203]. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[1]. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants[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]. This species is a cultivated crop in Iran[105], where it is sold in the bazaars of Teheran[183]. 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:
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, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
Shop Now
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
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
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 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 |
|
|
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
Gmel.
Botanical References
74200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment
| 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 admin@pfaf.org. 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.
|
