Allium ampeloprasum is a very variable species and has been treated in various ways in the past, with many subspecies and varieties being recognized. Current classification in the 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families' (2016), treats it as one variable species, but does not recognize any subspecies or varieties, Instead, it recognizes different cultivated groups of plants and, since all of these different forms, including the various cultivated forms, intergrade into each other, we are following this treatment here. We are, however, including Babbington's Leek (Allium ampeloprasum babbingtonii) here as a separate subspecies since it is clearly distinct in its production of bulbils and therefore has a somewhat different range of uses[].

Common Name: Babington's Leek

General Information

Allium ampeloprasum babingtonii is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing 6 - 9 leaves 10 - 30cm long sheathed around a flowering scape 45 - 180cm tall, growing from an underground bulb. The bulb divides and also produces bulbils, forming in time a cluster of plants[, ]. This subspecies usually produces numerous bulbils in the flowering head and few if any flowers[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is also sometimes used medicinally as a mild form of garlic (Allium sativum).
Plants can spread freely by means of their bulbils and sometimes become a weed in the garden[]. However, this subspecies does not spread anywhere near as freely as some Allium species with bulbils - indeed this form generally retains the bulbils in the head for a considerable time, making it easy to remove them for food, propagation or whatever[].

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

Western Europe - England, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands.

Habitat

Clefts of rocks and sandy places near the coast[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Allium ampeloprasum babingtonii is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant[].
Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[]. Succeeds in clay soils[]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.2 to 8.3.
The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[].
Closely allied to the wild leek, Allium ampeloprasum, differing mainly in its having more bulbils and fewer flowers in the flowering head[]. Plants can spread freely by means of their bulbils and sometimes become a weed in the garden[].
Where the plant is found wild in Britain it might be as a relic of early cultivation in monasteries etc[].
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[].

Edible Uses

Bulb - raw or cooked. The small bulbs can vary considerably in size from 2 - 6cm[], they have a pleasant mild garlic flavour[].

Leaves - raw or cooked. The young leaves are pleasant raw, older leaves quickly become fibrous and are best cooked. They have a nice leek flavour[]. The plants come into new growth in early winter and the leaves are often available from late winter[].

Flowers - raw. A pleasant mild garlic flavour, but with a rather dry texture[]. This species produces mainly bulbils and very few flowers[].

The bulbils have a mild garlic flavour and make a nice flavouring in salads and cooked foods. Although produced abundantly, they are quite fiddly to use because they are small[]. They can also be pickled[].

Medicinal

This species has the same medicinal virtues as garlic, but in a much milder and less effective form[]. These virtues are as follows:-

Garlic has a very long folk history of use in a wide range of ailments, particularly ailments such as ringworm, Candida and vaginitis where its fungicidal, antiseptic, tonic and parasiticidal properties have proved of benefit[]. The plant produces inhibitory effects on gram-negative germs of the typhoid-paratyphoid-enteritis group, indeed it possesses outstanding germicidal properties[] and can keep amoebic dysentery at bay[]. It is also said to have anticancer activity[]. It has also been shown that garlic aids detoxification of chronic lead poisoning[]. Daily use of garlic in the diet has been shown to have a very beneficial effect on the body, especially the blood system and the heart. For example, demographic studies suggest that garlic is responsible for the low incidence of arteriosclerosis in areas of Italy and Spain where consumption of the bulb is heavy[]. Recent research has also indicated that garlic reduces glucose metabolism in diabetics, slows the development of arteriosclerosis and lowers the risk of further heart attacks in myocardial infarct patients[, ]. Externally, the expressed juice is an excellent antiseptic for treating wounds[].
The fresh bulb is much more effective medicinally than stored bulbs, extended storage greatly reduces the anti-bacterial action[].
The bulb is said to be anthelmintic, antiasthmatic, anticholesterolemic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, stimulant, stings, stomachic, tonic, vasodilator[, , , , , ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The wild leek 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[].

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 - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, though it can also be sown in a cold frame in the spring[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Well-grown plants can be planted out into their final positions in late summer or the autumn, otherwise grow them on for a further year in pots and plant them out the following summer. This subspecies produces few if any seeds.
Division in late summer or early autumn. Dig up the bulbs when the plants are dormant and divide them into their individual cloves. They are best replanted immediately, either in the open ground or in pots in a cold frame, though they will also store for some months (preferably only divide the bulbs when you are ready to replant the cloves).
There are usually a number of small bulblets produced at the base of the larger bulb. These can be replanted immediately, or stored and replanted in the spring, They take two years of growth before producing a large bulb.
Bulbils are sometimes produced in the flowering umbel. These can be harvested as soon as they are ripe in late summer and are best planted immediately, though they can store for some months. The bulbils can be planted direct into their permanent positions, though you get better results if you pot them up and plant them out the following spring.