Allium commutatum is mainly, if not exclusively, found as fixed hybrids with Allium polyanthum s.l.[].

Common Name: Sea Garlic

General Information

Allium commutatum is a perennial plant growing from a subglobose bulb up to 60mm in diameter; it produces from 5 - 13 leaves and a flowering stem usually 50 - 100cm tall, occasionallt reaching 180cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
Allium commutatum is relatively widespread along coastal areas of the Medietranean in areas with a suitable habitat. Some localised threats are reported but they are not affecting the species at a rate to justify a threatened category. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

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

Mediterranean - France to Turkey and also in Algeria and Tunisia

Habitat

Open, rocky and/or stony places, coastal cliffs on limestone, in disturbed habitats such as fallow or abandoned fields and field edges. It prefers coastal areas near the sea on small islands; at elevations from sea level to about 300 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.75 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Allium commutatum is a plant of Mediterranean climates with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
Species in this genus generally prefer a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[].

Edible Uses

The bulbs are ground up and eaten with bread[]

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[].

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

Allium commutatum is a primary wild relative of and potential gene donor to leek, A. porrum L. and a tertiary wild relative of and potential gene donor to a number of other crops in the Allium group, including onion (A. cepa), Welsh onion (A. fistulosum), garlic (A. sativum) and chives (A. schoenoprasum)[].

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 -