Common Name: Wild Onion

General Information

Allium synnotii is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing 2 - 7 leaves 10 - 30cm long and a flowering scape 35 - 100cm tall from an underground bulb[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

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

S. Africa - Cape Province.

Habitat

Dry stony slopes and flats; along streams and roads; on plains, deep sands, stiff soils and dolomite ridges; more disturbed habitats like cornfields; repeatedly recorded as locally frequent; at elevations from 100 - 1,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Allium synnotii grows in areas with a hot, dry season and a cool, moist season. It can probably tolerate winter temperatures dipping occasionally to between -5 and -10°c but, even in well-drained soils, can be killed by summer wet. In moister parts of the temperate zone it is probably best to grow the plant in a bulb frame, with water being withheld in late summer[].
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[].
This species is related to the wild leek of Europe (Allium ampeloprasum)[].

Edible Uses

Bulb - raw or cooked. The ovoid bulb is 15 - 25mm x 10 - 20mm[].

Leaves - raw or cooked. Used as a condiment[, ].

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

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.