Allium brevistylum
S.Watson
Amaryllidaceae
Common Name: Shortstyle Onion
General Information
Allium brevistylum is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing 2 - 5 leaves 10 - 40cm long and a flowering scape 20 - 60cm tall from an underground bulb. The plant divides, forming in time a cluster of plants[
270- Title
- Flora of N. America
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, and possibly also 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
270- Title
- Flora of N. America
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
Range
Western N. America - Rocky Mountains from Idaho to Montana, south to New Mexico
Habitat
Swampy meadows and along streams, rarely on wooded slopes; at elevations from 2,200 - 3,400 metres[
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.
,
270- Title
- Flora of N. America
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
].
Properties
Edibility Rating | |
Medicinal Rating | |
Habit | Bulb |
Height | 0.50 m |
Pollinators | Bees, Insects |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
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]).
]. This species tolerates much wetter soils than most members of the genus but it dislikes winters with alternating periods of damp and cold and no snow cover, so it is best given a damp though well-drained soil[
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.
]. It requires plenty of moisture in the growing season[
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 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]).
].
Plants can be confused with Alium validum[
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.
].
Edible Uses
We have seen no specific mention of edibility for this species. However, Alliums in general are all more or less edible, and several are major food crops. It is very likely that the following parts of this species can also be eaten[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Bulb - raw or cooked. The plant has thick iris-like rhizomes[
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 bulb is up to 3cm long and 1cm wide[
270- Title
- Flora of N. America
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
].
Leaves - raw or cooked. The young and succulent leaves are relished by many animals[
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.
].
Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads.
Medicinal
A poultice of the ground root and stems, or an infusion of them, is used as a wash for carbuncles[
257- Title
- Native American Ethnobotany
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moerman. D.
- Publisher
- Timber Press. Oregon.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-88192-453-9
- Description
- Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.
].
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[
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.
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