Common Name: Rakkyo

General Information

Allium chinense is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing a cluster of leaves 15 - 35cm long and a flowering scape 20 - 40cm tall from an underground bulb. The plant divides, forming in time a moderate-sized clump of growth. The plant can be evergreen in areas with mild winters[, ].
A popular vegetable in east Asia, where it is widely cultivated for its edible bulb and leaves, mainly in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of Japan, China and many other parts of eastern Asia[, , ].
Allium chinense is a widespread, extensively cultivated species with no known threats; although its exact distribution and ecology are not know due to such a long history of cultivation for Chinese cooking. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southern China

Habitat

Often cultivated, plants can be found wild on the edges of fields[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bulb
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[]. Tolerates poor soils[].
Plants often die-back in hot weather mid-summer, coming back into growth in late summer and flowering in the autumn[]. The flowers seldom set seed in Britain[].
The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[]. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants[].

Edible Uses

Bulb - raw or cooked[, ]. The bulb has an excellent crisp texture with a strong onion flavour[], it can be 4 - 5cm in diameter, though it does not reach this size until the second or third year[]. It contains about 3.1% protein, 0.12% fat, 18.3% soluble carbohydrate, 0.7% ash[].

Leaves - raw or cooked[].

Flowers and young seedpods - raw[]. Used as a garnish on salads.

Medicinal

The whole plant is astringent, carminative and expectorant[]. It is used in the treatment of stuffiness sensation and pain in the chest, angina pectoris, pleurisy, bronchitis, diarrhoea and tenesmus in cases of dysentery[].
The leaves, bulbs and roots are used to treat a range of common health problems including coughs and colds, skin rashes[].

Although no other 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[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Allium species usually grow well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but they inhibit the growth of legumes[, , ]. They are, in general, bad companions for alfalfa - each species negatively affecting the other[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Other Uses

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the juice of most species in this genus (especially those with a strong onion or garlic smell) can be used as a moth repellent[].
The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles[].

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. 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.