Allium

Some important species:

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Allium acuminatum - tapertip onion

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Allium ampeloprasum

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:A. a. var. ampeloprasum - elephant garlic

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:A. a. var. kurrat - kurrat

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:A. a. var. porrum - leek

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Allium anceps - twinleaf onion

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Allium angulosum - mouse garlic

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Allium ascalonicum - shallot

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Allium atrorubens - dark red onion

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Allium campanulatum - dusky onion

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Allium canadense - Canadian garlic

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Allium cepa - garden onion

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Allium neapolitanum - white garlic

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Allium nevii - Nevius' garlic

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Allium nigrum - black garlic

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Allium oleraceum - field garlic

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Allium ramosum - Chinese chives

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Allium sativum - cultivated garlic

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Allium schoenoprasum - chives

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Allium scorodoprasum - Sand leek

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Allium triquetrum - three-cornered leek

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Allium tuberosum - Chinese chives

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Allium ursinum - wild garlic, ramsons

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Allium vineale - crow garlic

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See full list.

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Allium is the onion genus with about 1250 species, usually classified in its own family Alliaceae. Some botanists used to classify it in the lily family (Liliaceae).

Related Topics:
Onion - Alliaceae - Lily - Liliaceae

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They are perennial bulbous plants. They occur in temperate climates of the northern hemisphere, except for a few species occurring in Chile (as Allium juncifolium), Brazil (Allium sellovianum) or tropical Africa (Allium spathaceum). They can vary in height between 10 cm and 150 cm. The flowers form an umbel at the top of a leafless stalk. The bulbs can vary between very small to rather big and form little bulbs around the old one. Several species form many tiny bulbils in the flowerhead; in the so-called "tree onion" (A. cepa Proliferum Group) these are few, but large enough to be used for pickling.

Related Topics:
Perennial - Flower - Bulb - Tree onion - Pickling

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Some Allium species are used as border plants, including A. cristophii, for their architectural qualities. Several hybrids have been bred, or selected, with rich purple flowers. Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' is one of the most popular and has been given an Award of Garden Merit (H4).

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Its members include many valued garden herbs such as onions, shallots, garlic, leeks and chives.

Related Topics:
Herb - Onion - Shallots - Garlic - Leeks - Chives

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The strong "oniony" odor is characteristic of the whole genus but not all members are equally flavorful and some species are troublesome weeds.

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Allium species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera including Garden Dart.

Related Topics:
Larva - Lepidoptera - Garden Dart

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