Allium douglasii
Hook.
Douglas' onion
(c) Michael Stein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Michael Stein
(c) Remington Jackson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Remington Jackson
(c) Michael Stein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Michael Stein
What to Eat
Edible parts: Flowers, Leaves, Root, Bulb
The bulb, which grows up to 3cm long and 2cm wide, has a mild, sweet flavour. It can be sliced and used raw in salads or added to cooked dishes as a vegetable or flavouring. Leaves are also edible raw or cooked. The flowers can be eaten raw and work well as a garnish on salads.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It occurs naturally on low hills in shallow soil that is wet in winter but dry in summer Western North America from Washington to Oregon and Idaho.
North America, USA,
How to Identify
An onion family bulb plant. It grows to 30 cm high and spreads to 12 cm across.
How to Grow
Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained dry to moist soil. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply. 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 out seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle, or place three per pot to produce clumps more quickly. Grow on in the greenhouse through at least the first winter before planting out in spring once vigorous and large enough. Division is best done in spring, though plants can be divided successfully at any point during the growing season. Pot up divisions in a cold frame or greenhouse until well established, then plant out into permanent positions.
Medicinal Uses
No specific medicinal uses have been recorded for this species, but like other members of its genus it makes a healthy addition to the diet. It contains sulphur compounds that give it its onion flavour, and eaten regularly it can help reduce blood cholesterol levels, support digestive health, and tonify the circulatory system.
Other Uses
The juice of the plant can be used as a moth repellent. The whole plant is also said to repel insects and moles.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Allium douglasii, the Douglas' onion, is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the Amaryllidaceae family. It is native to northeastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and northern Idaho.
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.
Names & Synonyms
References (2)
- Fl. bor.-amer. 2:184, t. 197. 1839
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
