Allium bisceptrum

What to Eat

Edible parts: Flowers, Leaves, Root, Bulb, Seeds

The bulbs are edible raw or cooked, measuring 10–15mm wide, and were traditionally harvested in spring or early summer. They have a pungent onion flavour and can be roasted or boiled. The leaves can be eaten fresh or cooked and used in the same way as cultivated chives. The flowers are eaten raw as a garnish on salads. Seed heads can be placed in hot ashes for a few minutes, after which the seeds are extracted and eaten.

Known Hazards

Where to Find It

It grows naturally in Western North America from Oregon to California. It occurs in meadows and aspen groves, occasionally on open slopes.

North America, USA,

How to Identify

An onion family plant. A bulb plant. It grows to 30 cm high. The bulbs are 10-15 mm wide.

How to Grow

Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil. This species is only hardy in the milder areas of the country, it should tolerate temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagation: Sow seed in spring in a cold frame. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle — placing three plants per pot will build clumps more quickly. Grow on in the greenhouse through at least their first winter, then plant out into permanent positions in spring once they are vigorous and of sufficient size. Division is best carried out in spring, though the plants divide successfully at any point during the growing season. Pot up the divisions in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing well before planting out into permanent positions.

Medicinal Uses

Plant juice has been used as an appetite restorer. Beyond this, no specific medicinal uses have been recorded for the species, but members of this genus are generally considered very healthy dietary additions. They contain sulphur compounds responsible for their onion flavour, and eaten regularly they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system, and support circulatory health.

Other Uses

The plant's juice can be used as a moth repellent, and the whole plant is said to deter insects and moles.

Allium bisceptrum, also known as the twincrest onion or aspen onion, is a high elevation plant native to western United States. It is a perennial that thrives under damp and shady conditions or open meadows in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Utah. Allium bisceptrum is used sometimes as food flavoring as their leaves may be very strong and odorous. Natives pray before picking the leaves of this plant. Many animals in the region, including elk, black bears and prairie dogs, eat the bulbs of the wild onions.

Notes

There are about 300-700 Allium species. Most species of Allium are edible (Flora of China). All alliums are edible but they may not all be worth eating! They have also been put in the family Alliaceae.

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