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Practical ecological knowledge for the temperate reader. |
Family: Amaryllidaceae (Lily) (Previously in Liliaceae) [E-flora]
"Outer bulb coat generally brown to gray, inner generally white. Stem: scapose, cylindric, triangular in ×-section, or flat. Leaf: basal, 1–5[12] per stem, linear, cylindric, channeled, or flat, generally withering from tip before flower. Inflorescence: umbel, flowers 3–many, rarely all or in part replaced by bulblets; bracts generally 2–4, obvious, ± fused, scarious. Flower: perianth parts ± free, generally with darker or contrasting midvein, outer generally wider; filaments fused into a ring; ovary with 0, 3, or 6 crests, ovules generally 2 per chamber. Seed: obovoid, generally unappendaged.
700 species: generally northern temperate, especially California. (Latin: garlic) [McNeal & Jacobsen 2002 FNANM 26:224–276] Replanting bulbs after study essential for survival of plant; shape, arrangement of cells of outer bulb coat (outer bulb coat sculpture) generally important in identification, generally determined only with magnification; color of outer bulb coat may be masked by substrate; stem lengths from top of bulb to base of inflorescence, not from substrate surface." [Jepson]
Local Species;
Hazards
Allium sativum;
"The most frequent side effect of garlic use is breath and
body odor. Consumption of excessive amounts of raw
garlic, particularly on an empty stomach, can cause
flatulence, nausea, and abdominal discomfort." [TNS]
Dermatitis: "Case reports describe exposure to garlic with a variety of skin reactions including irritant contact dermatitis, 33 superficial and deep, partial - thickness chemical burns, 34,35 local urticaria, 36 photocontact allergies, 37 immediate hypersensitivity reactions, 38 and delayed hypersensitivity. Most topical reactions to garlic result from irritation rather than an allergic reaction, particularly following exposure to fresh crushed garlic or garlic oil. 39 An eczematous skin lesion can develop after chronic exposure to garlic in sensitized individuals. 40,41 The intentional application of crushed, raw garlic to the skin can produce second - degree chemical burns, particularly when applied as a poultice. 42,43 The degree of skin injury depends on a variety of factors including duration of exposure, pre-existing skin conditions, anatomic area of skin, and freshness of the garlic. 44 The irritant compound is heat sensitive; therefore, cooked garlic does not cause skin burns. Occasional case reports associate occupational contact dermatitis with exposure to garlic, particularly in workers who cut garlic. These case reports have described a low - grade, hyperkeratotic fingertip dermatitis with fissures on the thumb, index, and middle finger of the nondominant hand. 45,46 Other allergic reactions associated with garlic exposure include acute bronchospasm in atopic individuals, 47 rhinoconjunctivitis, 48 and anaphylaxis. 49 Potential allergens in garlic include diallyl disulfide and alliin lyase. 50" [TNS]
Food Use
Medicinal Use
Allium acuminatum Hooker, and A. cernuum Roth. (Wild Onion)
References
"Allium acuminatum is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 6. It is in flower from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil." [PFAF]
General: "Perennial herb from an egg-shaped to nearly globe-shaped, scaly bulb, the outer scales brownish, with a prominent fibrous network, the inner scales white; flowering stems erect, 10-30 cm tall, slender, round in cross-section, smooth." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range: "Dry rocky bluffs, Garry Oak woodlands and meadows in the lowland and steppe zones; infrequent on SE Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Fraser Valley, north to Lytton and Pemberton; S to NM, AZ and CA." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Ecological Indicator Information
"A very shade-intolerant, montane, Western North American forb distributed equally in the Pacific and Cordilleran regions. Occurs in cool temperate and cool mesothermal climates very dry to moderately dry and nitrogen-medium soils. Its occurrence decreases with increasing latitude, precipitation, and continentality. Scattered in the open and in open-canopy forests on water-shedding sites with shallow soils. Characteristic of moisture-deficient sites." [IPBC-E-flora]
Cultivation and Propagation
"Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[1]. The bulbs tend to rot when grown in cool wet climates, even if they are given sharp drainage[203]. This species is best in a cold frame and given a dry summer rest[163, 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]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]." [PFAF]
"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. Very easy, the plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season and the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required." [PFAF]
Synonyms
Blue-Listed species in B.C. [E-flora]
General: "Perennial herb from an egg-shaped to nearly globe-shaped, scaly bulb, the outer scales brownish to grey, with a wavy, fibrous network, the inner scales red or white; flowering stems erect, 10-40 cm tall, slender, round in cross-section, smooth." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range: "Vernally moist rocky bluffs and meadows in the lowland zone; infrequent on SE Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the adjacent mainland (Powell River); S to CA." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
SUBTAXA PRESENT IN BC
Status: Native [E-flora]
"Allium cernuum is a BULB growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 12-Feb It is in flower from Jun to July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure." [PFAF]
General:
"Perennial herb from an elongate, long-necked, narrowly egg-shaped, scaly bulb, the outer scales membranous, without a fibrous network, the inner scales faintly pinkish, the bulbs often clustered; flowering stems erect but down-curved near the top, 10-50 cm tall, slender, often somewhat angled, smooth." [IFBC-E-flora]
Ecological Indicator Information
"A shade-intolerant, montane to subalpine, transcontinental North American forb. Occurs on nitrogen-medium, water-shedding sites within boreal, temperate, and cool mesothermal climates. Its occurrence decreases with increasing precipitation and latitude. Occasional in early-seral communities on shallow soils of rock outcrops; frequently inhabits exposed mineral soils. Characteristic of summer-dry temperate and mesothermal forests." [IPBC-E-flora]
Uses
Cooked onion bulbs were eaten by the
Kwakiutl. The plants were marked in the
spring and the bulbs dug in August. They
were steamed in pits lined with pine
boughs (Pinus sp.), and covered with lichens and alder boughs (Alnus rubra)
(Boas, 1935). The bulbs were soaked in
hot water and applied as a poultice to
sores and swellings (Boas, 1966).[Turner&Bell]
Cultivation & Propagation
"An easily grown plant[203], it prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[1]. Succeeds in clay soils[203]. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant[190]. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[233]. A very ornamental plant, it makes a very decorative edging to flower beds[K]. This species is self-sowing quite freely in our Cornwall garden[K]. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[1]. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants[203], though this species has tolerated considerable neglect in our Cornwall garden[K]. The cultivar 'Major' is a more vigorous form with larger flower clusters[90]. 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]. A widespread and very variable species[1]. It is closely allied to A. stellatum[1, 270]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]." [PFAF]
"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. Very easy, the plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season and the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required." [PFAF]
Red-Listed Species in B.C. [E-flora]
General: "Perennial herb from a lopsided-egg-shaped, scaly bulb, the outer scales papery-white or greyish, without a fibrous network; flowering stems ascending to erect, 5-8 cm tall, flattened, 2-angled or -winged, the margins obscurely scalloped." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range: " Dry rock outcrops and rockslides in the lowland, montane and subalpine zones; rare on S Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands; S to WA and SW OR." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
"Allium geyeri is a BULB growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Apr to May. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]
SUBTAXA PRESENT IN BC
Allium geyeri var. tenerum [E-flora]
General: "Perennial herb from an egg-shaped, scaly bulb, the bulbs often clustered, the outer scales brownish, fibrous, in a coarse-meshed network, the inner scales whitish; flowering stems erect, 10-50 cm tall, slender, cylindric to somewhat angled, smooth." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range: "Moist meadows, banks, and rock outcrops in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; infrequent on Vancouver Island and in the Fraser and Thompson River valleys; E to MB and S to NM, AZ, NV and OR." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Food use
Other Use
"The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent. The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles[20]." [PFAF]
Propagation
"Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. The seed can also be sown as soon as it is ripe 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 of the plants in summer as they die down. The divisions can be planted direct into their permanent positions if required." [PFAF]
Cultivation
"Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[1]. Plants are not hardy in the colder wetter conditions of N.W. Britain and are probably best grown in a bulb frame in most parts of the country[203]. The sub-species A. geyeri tenerum forms bulbils in its flowering head[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]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]." [PFAF]
Allium schoenoprasum Var. sibiricum - Wild Chives
"Allium schoenoprasum sibiricum is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]
General:
"Perennial herb from an oblong-egg-shaped, scaly bulb, the bulbs clustered, the outer scales greyish or brownish, membranous, without a fibrous network, the inner scales whitish or pinkish; flowering stems erect, 20-60 cm tall, stout, cylindric, smooth." [IFBC-E-flora]
Notes:
"Cultivated plants can occur as garden escapes." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range: " Wet to moist meadows, streambanks and lake margins in the montane zone; infrequent in N and E BC; circumboreal, N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF and S to ME, MA, VA, OH, MO, CO, UT, NV and OR; Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Hazards: "The intake of large quantities can lead to stomach irritation." [PDR]
Medicinal Uses
"The whole plant has a beneficial effect on the digestive system and the blood circulation. It improves the appetite, is digestive, hypotensive and tonic[201]. It has similar properties to garlic (A. sativum), but in a much milder form, and it is rarely used medicinally[238]." [PFAF]
Select Indications (Chives) — Cancer (f; JLH); Gas (1; EFS; SKJ); Water Retention (f; EFS; SKJ) [HMH Duke] "Unproven Uses: The drug is used to expel worms and intestinal parasites." [PDR]
"Chives are the complete aerial parts of Allium
schoenoprasum, which are harvested before flowering." [PDR]
"Mode of Administration: Chives are used fresh or dried, as a cut drug" [PDR]
"Alliins (alkyl cysteine sulfoxides): in particular, methyl alliin
(S-methyl-L-(+)-cysteine sulfoxide) and pentyl alliin (Spentyl-L-(+)-cysteine sulfoxide), as well as their gamma glutamyl conjugates; in the course of cutting up the fresh
foliage, the alliins undergo a transformation (which is
triggered by fermentation) into the so-called alliaceous oils,
e.g., dimethyl-disulfide-mono-S-oxide" [PDR]
Allium schoenoprasum L. - Liliaceae
Chemical/Part/Loppm/Hippm/Reference
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1-O-FERULOYL-BETA-D-GLUCOSE Leaf 13652 |
KAEMPFEROL Leaf 16 55 13400 |
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[Duke2] |
"Activities (Chives) — Anthelminthic (1; PH2); Antiseptic (1; EFS); Aphrodisiac (f; SKJ); Cardiodepressant (1; WO2); Carminative (1; EFS); Digestive (1; EFS); Diuretic (f; EFS; SKJ); Expectorant (f; SKJ); Hematinic (f; EFS); Hypotensive (1; WO2); Stimulant (f; SKJ)" [HMH Duke]
"The volatile and non-volatile sulphur bonds are said to be
anthelmintic. However, efficacy has not been documented in
scientific studies." [PDR]
Propagation
"Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually free and easy, pot up the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle easily and plant out in the following spring. Division can be carried out at almost any time of the year but is probably best done in spring. The clumps should be divided at least every 3 or 4 years in order to maintain vigour[200], the divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions." [PFAF]
Cultivation
"An easily grown plant[203], it prefers a sunny position in a rich moist but well-drained soil[14, 37]. Succeeds in most soils[1, 37] and in light shade[203]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[203]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.2 to 8.3. This is a more robust form of A. schoenoprasum, the chive. It is often grown in the garden for its edible leaves which are available from late winter to the beginning of the next winter[K]. The bulbs divide rapidly and large clumps are quickly formed. There are some named varieties[183]. Regular cutting of the leaves ensures a continuous supply of young leaves and prevents flowering[33]. Plants can be moved into a frame or other protected environment in the autumn and will then produce leaves throughout the winter[33]. Do not do this every year or it weakens the plants. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[1]. A good bee plant[24]. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes[18, 20, 54]. Helps to reduce the incidence of scab when it is grown under apple trees[201]. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other[201]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]." [PFAF]
General:
"Perennial garlic-scented herb from an egg-shaped, scaly bulb, the bulbs clustered with several hard-shelled bulblets within the outer scales, which are yellow-brown, vertically grooved, and fibrous; flowering stems erect, 30-100 cm tall, slender, cylindric, solid, smooth." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat / Range
"Mesic to dry fields and waste places in the lowland zone; infrequent on S Vancouver Island; introduced from Europe." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Exotic [E-flora]
Nutritional
Allium vineale L. Leaves - collected All year - 130mg/100g Ascorbic acid. [AA Zennie]