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Useful Temperate Plants

Allium synnotii

G.Don

Amaryllidaceae

+ Synonyms

Allium dregeanum Kunth

Allium rotundum synnotii (G.Don) Regel

Allium synnotianum Schult. & Schult.f.

Allium verrucosum G.Don

Common Name: Wild Onion

No Image.

General Information

Allium synnotii is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing 2 - 7 leaves 10 - 30cm long and a flowering scape 35 - 100cm tall from an underground bulb[
1060
Title
A Revision of the Genus Allium L. (Liliaceae) in Africa
Publication
 
Author
Brigitta E. E. De Wilde-Duyfjes
Publisher
H.Veenman & Zonen B.V.- Wageningen-19
Year
1976
ISBN
 
Description
An extensive treatment of the genus in Africa.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

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[
76
Title
Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man.
Publication
 
Author
Cooper. M. and Johnson. A.
Publisher
HMSO
Year
1984
ISBN
0112425291
Description
Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock.
].

Botanical References

1060
Title
A Revision of the Genus Allium L. (Liliaceae) in Africa
Publication
 
Author
Brigitta E. E. De Wilde-Duyfjes
Publisher
H.Veenman & Zonen B.V.- Wageningen-19
Year
1976
ISBN
 
Description
An extensive treatment of the genus in Africa.

Range

S. Africa - Cape Province.

Habitat

Dry stony slopes and flats; along streams and roads; on plains, deep sands, stiff soils and dolomite ridges; more disturbed habitats like cornfields; repeatedly recorded as locally frequent; at elevations from 100 - 1,000 metres[
282
Title
The Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs
Publication
 
Author
Manning. J. Goldblatt. P. & Snijman. D.
Publisher
Timber Press, Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-547-0
Description
Excellent treatment of these plants, with good descriptions, habitat etc. Lots of high quality colour photographs.
,
1060
Title
A Revision of the Genus Allium L. (Liliaceae) in Africa
Publication
 
Author
Brigitta E. E. De Wilde-Duyfjes
Publisher
H.Veenman & Zonen B.V.- Wageningen-19
Year
1976
ISBN
 
Description
An extensive treatment of the genus in Africa.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
HabitBulb
Height0.60 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Allium synnotii grows in areas with a hot, dry season and a cool, moist season. It can probably tolerate winter temperatures dipping occasionally to between -5 and -10°c but, even in well-drained soils, can be killed by summer wet. In moister parts of the temperate zone it is probably best to grow the plant in a bulb frame, with water being withheld in late summer[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
].
The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants[
203
Title
Alliums. The Ornamental Onions.
Publication
 
Author
Davies. D.
Publisher
Batsford
Year
1992
ISBN
0-7134-7030-5
Description
Covers about 200 species of Alliums. A very short section on their uses, good details of their cultivation needs.
].
This species is related to the wild leek of Europe (Allium ampeloprasum)[
282
Title
The Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs
Publication
 
Author
Manning. J. Goldblatt. P. & Snijman. D.
Publisher
Timber Press, Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-547-0
Description
Excellent treatment of these plants, with good descriptions, habitat etc. Lots of high quality colour photographs.
].

Edible Uses

Bulb - raw or cooked. The ovoid bulb is 15 - 25mm x 10 - 20mm[
1060
Title
A Revision of the Genus Allium L. (Liliaceae) in Africa
Publication
 
Author
Brigitta E. E. De Wilde-Duyfjes
Publisher
H.Veenman & Zonen B.V.- Wageningen-19
Year
1976
ISBN
 
Description
An extensive treatment of the genus in Africa.
].

Leaves - raw or cooked. Used as a condiment[
177
Title
Plants for Human Consumption.
Publication
 
Author
Kunkel. G.
Publisher
Koeltz Scientific Books
Year
1984
ISBN
3874292169
Description
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
,
1060
Title
A Revision of the Genus Allium L. (Liliaceae) in Africa
Publication
 
Author
Brigitta E. E. De Wilde-Duyfjes
Publisher
H.Veenman & Zonen B.V.- Wageningen-19
Year
1976
ISBN
 
Description
An extensive treatment of the genus in Africa.
].

Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads.

Medicinal

Although no 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[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

Allium species usually grow well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but they inhibit the growth of legumes[
18
Title
Companion Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B.
Publisher
Watkins
Year
1979
ISBN
-
Description
Details of beneficial and antagonistic relationships between neighbouring plants.
,
20
Title
Companion Planting for Successful Gardening.
Publication
 
Author
Riotte. L.
Publisher
Garden Way, Vermont, USA.
Year
1978
ISBN
0-88266-064-0
Description
Fairly good.
,
54
Title
How to Enjoy your Weeds.
Publication
 
Author
Hatfield. A. W.
Publisher
Frederick Muller Ltd
Year
1977
ISBN
0-584-10141-4
Description
Interesting reading.
]. They are, in general, bad companions for alfalfa - each species negatively affecting the other[
201
Title
A - Z of Companion Planting.
Publication
 
Author
Allardice.P.
Publisher
Cassell Publishers Ltd.
Year
1993
ISBN
0-304-34324-2
Description
A well produced and very readable book.
].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[
233
Title
Perennial Garden Plants
Publication
 
Author
Thomas. G. S.
Publisher
J. M. Dent & Sons, London.
Year
1990
ISBN
0 460 86048 8
Description
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
].

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[
20
Title
Companion Planting for Successful Gardening.
Publication
 
Author
Riotte. L.
Publisher
Garden Way, Vermont, USA.
Year
1978
ISBN
0-88266-064-0
Description
Fairly good.
].
The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles[
20
Title
Companion Planting for Successful Gardening.
Publication
 
Author
Riotte. L.
Publisher
Garden Way, Vermont, USA.
Year
1978
ISBN
0-88266-064-0
Description
Fairly good.
].

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. The plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season, pot up the divisions in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing well and then plant them out into their permanent positions.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Allium+synnotii>

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