Common Name: Valak

General Information

Allium elburzense is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a depressed-globose bulb around 15 - 30mm in diameter; it produces 1 - 2 leaves and a flowering stem around 5 - 15cm tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food with health-promoting properties[]. It is occasionally offered as an ornamental.

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

W. Asia - northern Iran

Habitat

Montane rocky and rubble slopes.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.10 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Allium elburzense is a plant of semi-arid regions in the temperate zone. It is fairly cold-hardy but can be killed by winter wet. It also requires a hot, dry period when dormant in the summer.
Species in this genus generally prefer a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. The leaves are used in Iran to cook the traditional dish 'Kuku', and are also cooked with rice[].

Medicinal

The aerial parts of the plant are antidiabetic, antihelminthic, antirheumatic, and aphrodiasic[]. Eating the leaves of this plant is said to lower blood-cholesterol levels[].

The aerial parts of the plant have been shown to have anti-hyperglycemic, antispasmodic, fibrinolytic, and antioxidant properties.
A hydroalcoholic extract of the bulb has been shown to have anti-dyslipidemic, anti-hyperglycemic, and antioxidant effects in the treatment of dyslipidemia[].

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[].

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

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 -