Allium atroviolaceum
Boiss.
Amaryllidaceae
Allium ampeloprasum atroviolaceum (Boiss.) Regel
Allium firmotunicatum Fomin
Common Name: Black-Violet Leek
General Information
Allium atroviolaceum is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from an underground, globose bulb up to 25mm in diameter. The plant forms a single, flowering stem 60 - 100cm tall with 4 - 5 leaves sheathed around it. The bulb forms numerous bulbils at its base, in time becoming a dense cluster of growth[
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
1145- Title
- AgroAtlas
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.agroatlas.ru/en/index.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line database of economic plants of Russia and the surrounding countries that formed the USSR, giving botanical descriptions, distribution, habitats and uses. It also gives comprehensive information on climate, soil, pests, diseases etc
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens
Allium atroviolaceum is known to be locally common in parts of its European range, but overall information is lacking in most areas in which it is known to grow. The plant is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
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
1145- Title
- AgroAtlas
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.agroatlas.ru/en/index.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line database of economic plants of Russia and the surrounding countries that formed the USSR, giving botanical descriptions, distribution, habitats and uses. It also gives comprehensive information on climate, soil, pests, diseases etc
Range
Eurasia - Czech Republic to Italy, east through the Caucasus and Turkey to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, south to Lebanon and Saudi Arabia
Habitat
Found in mid-mountain zones, growing on dry sites and rocks, in crop fields, orchards and vineyards, as well as in weedy places[
1145- Title
- AgroAtlas
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.agroatlas.ru/en/index.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line database of economic plants of Russia and the surrounding countries that formed the USSR, giving botanical descriptions, distribution, habitats and uses. It also gives comprehensive information on climate, soil, pests, diseases etc
].
Properties
Conservation Status | Data Deficient |
Edibility Rating |   |
Habit | Bulb |
Height | 0.80 m |
Pollinators | Insects |
Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Easily grown in a well-drained soil in a sunny position[
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.
]. The plant prefers clay soils in the wild[
1145- Title
- AgroAtlas
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.agroatlas.ru/en/index.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line database of economic plants of Russia and the surrounding countries that formed the USSR, giving botanical descriptions, distribution, habitats and uses. It also gives comprehensive information on climate, soil, pests, diseases etc
].
Edible Uses
The plant is used as a vegetable and source of vitamins[
1145- Title
- AgroAtlas
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.agroatlas.ru/en/index.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line database of economic plants of Russia and the surrounding countries that formed the USSR, giving botanical descriptions, distribution, habitats and uses. It also gives comprehensive information on climate, soil, pests, diseases etc
]. No more information is given, but Alliums in general have more or less edible bulbs, flowers and leaves[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Medicinal
None known
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 of the clump. Individual bulbs or larger clumps can be separated from the main clump - individual bulbs can be planted directly into their permanent position, but are probably best grown in pots or a nursery bed until established. Larger divisions can be planted direct into their permanent position.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.