Common Name:

General Information

Allium oschaninii is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing 4 - 5 leaves 13 - 30cm long and a flowering scape 45 - 100cm tall from an underground bulb. The plant divides, forming in time a cluster of plants[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. The plant is a wild relative of the cultivated onion (Allium cepa) and is often harvested from the wild for local use[].
There is currently insufficient information available to evaluate this species. The plant is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

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 - Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan.

Habitat

Rocky crevices and stony slopes in mountains[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Data Deficient
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Allium oschaninii is a plant of semi-arid regions of central Asia, where the winters can be quite cold and the summers are hot and dry. The plant might struggle to survive in moister areas of the temperate zone, especially if the summers are cool and moist[].
Prefers 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

Bulb - raw or cooked[]. The bulbs are about 4cm in diameter[].

Leaves - raw or cooked.

Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads.

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

This species is an ancestor of the cultivated onion, Allium cepa, and so could be of value in breeding programmes[].

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 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.