This taxon is sometimes treated as a subspecies of Allium scorodoprasum as Allium scorodoprasum rotundum (L.) Stearn[].

Common Name:

General Information

Allium rotundum is a herbaceous, perennial plant roducing 2 - 5 leaves 15 - 40cm long and a flowering scape 25 - 90cm tall from an underground bulb. The plant divides freely, forming in time a cluster of plants[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.
The plant has become established in N. America in southern Michigan and probably in other places in the Great Lakes region[].

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

Europe - Germany to Spain, east to Russia, Ukraine and Greece; W. Asia - Turkey, south to Lebanon, east to nrthern Iran

Habitat

Calcareous and disturbed clay slopes, grassy places, field borders, beaches on sand and loam in Turkey[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Allium rotundum
Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[].
Unlike some closely related species, this species does not produce bulbils in the inflorescence[, ].
The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[].

Edible Uses

Bulb - raw or cooked. The bulb is 7 - 20mm in diameter[].

Leaves - raw or cooked[, ].

Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads.

Medicinal

The fresh or dried bulb is taken internally as an anthelmintic, antiseptic, appetite stimulator, diuretic and hypotensive[].

A decoction of the seeds is taken internally to treat goitre[].

Although no further 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 in spring. Very easy, the plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season and the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.