Common Name:

General Information

Allium karataviense is a perennial plant growing from a globose bulb around 20 - 60mm in diameter; it usually produces two leaves each 15 - 23cm long and from 3 - 15cm wide, plus a flowering stemm10 - 25cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is often grown as an ornamental, the dried flowering heads are often used in flower arranging[].

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

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Range

Central Asia - Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Tadzhikistan, Uzbekistan to Afghanistan

Habitat

Loose calcareous screes in the lower mountain zone[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Allium karataviense is a plant of central Asia, growing in a semi-arid, continental climate with cold winters and warm to hot summers. The bulb can tolerate temperatures down to -25°c, or perhaps even lower, but the new growth is produced early in the year and can be damaged by anything more than a light to medium frost,
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil[]. Plants are intolerant of wet soils[].

Edible Uses

The whole plant is eaten. The leaves and bulbs are widely used in traditional foods such as oshi burida, oshi tuppa, and alafjush[].

Medicinal

The fresh bulb is used as a treatment for the common cold[].
A decoction of the bulbs is used in traditional medicine for treating pulmonary diseases and strong shortness in breath[].

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 - 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 cluster, preferably when the plant is dormant.