This species is not universally accepted - it is sometimes treated as a var of Allium victorialis (as Allium victorialis var. platyphyllum (Hultén) Makino)[].

Common Name: Alpine Leek

General Information

Allium ochotense is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing 2 - 3 leaves 10 - 22cm long and a flowering scape 25 - 80cm tall from a cylindrically conical bulb around 12 - 20mm in diameter. The bulb usually divides, forming in time a cluster of plants[, , ].
The plant is often harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes cultivated as a food crop in Japan and Korea, and is sold in local food markets[, ]

Known Hazards

Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in very large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible[].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East, northeast China, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Forests, shady and moist slopes, pastures and streamsides at elevations from 600 - 2,500 metres in China[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Allium ochotense
Requires a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[, ].
The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[]. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants[].

Edible Uses

Leaves[].

The following uses were specifically for Allium victorialis, but are included here also because this species is sometimes included in Allium victorialis and is also commonly harvested for food[].

Bulb - raw or cooked[]. An onion substitute[]. The plants are as pungent as garlic[]. The bulbs are rather small, about 10 - 20mm in diameter, and are produced in clusters on a short rhizome[].

Leaves - raw or cooked. The stems and leaves are eaten[, ], they are much favoured in Japan[]. The leaves are a rich source of vitamin C[].

Flowers - raw or cooked.

Medicinal

The following uses were specifically for Allium victorialis, but are included here also because this species is sometimes included in Allium victorialis and is also often used in traditional medicine[].

The root is antiscorbutic, carminative, diuretic and vermifuge[, , , ].
Used in the treatment of profuse menstruation[, , ].

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 - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse or cold frame. It germinates quickly and can be grown on in the greenhouse for the first year, planting out the dormant bulbs in the late summer of the following year if they have developed sufficiently, otherwise grow on in pots for a further year. Stored seed can be sown in spring in a greenhouse.
Division in summer after the plants have died down. Fairly easy, though we have found that it is best to pot up the divisions until they are growing away strongly before planting them out into their permanent positions[].