Allium tenuissimum
L.
Amaryllidaceae
Allium tenuissimum differs in only a few characters from Allium elegantulum Kitag., which has been treated as a synonym of this species in earlier works[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
Common Name:
General Information
Allium tenuissimum is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a cluster of subcylindrical bulbs that are each 3 - 6mm in diameter; each bulb produces 3 - 5 leaves 4 - 18cm long and a flowering stem 25 - 60cm tall[
2031- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Mountain Regions of Central Asia and Altai
- Publication
-
- Author
- Batsatsashvili K., Kikvidze Z. & Bussmann R.W. (Eds)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28947-8
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28946-1
- Description
-
,
2257- Title
- A partial revision of Allium (Amaryllidaceae) in Korea and north-eastern China
- Publication
- The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 167, 153-211
- Author
- Choi H.J. & Oh B.U.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
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[
76- Title
- Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Cooper. M. and Johnson. A.
- Publisher
- HMSO
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0112425291
- Description
- Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock.
].
Botanical References
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
2257- Title
- A partial revision of Allium (Amaryllidaceae) in Korea and north-eastern China
- Publication
- The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 167, 153-211
- Author
- Choi H.J. & Oh B.U.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
Range
Central to eastern Asia - Kazakhstan, eastern Siberia - Mongolia, China, Korea
Habitat
Slopes, pastures, sandy places; from near sea level to 2,000 metres[
2031- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Mountain Regions of Central Asia and Altai
- Publication
-
- Author
- Batsatsashvili K., Kikvidze Z. & Bussmann R.W. (Eds)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28947-8
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28946-1
- Description
-
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Bulb |
| Height | 0.25 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Allium tenuissimum
As with most Allium species from this region, the plant is likely to require a sunny position in a well-drained soil. This species has very fine and narrow leaves and is extremely drought-tolerant[
2031- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Mountain Regions of Central Asia and Altai
- Publication
-
- Author
- Batsatsashvili K., Kikvidze Z. & Bussmann R.W. (Eds)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28947-8
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28946-1
- Description
-
].
Edible Uses
A very widely used species, the inflorescence and seeds can be used as condiments[
2031- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Mountain Regions of Central Asia and Altai
- Publication
-
- Author
- Batsatsashvili K., Kikvidze Z. & Bussmann R.W. (Eds)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28947-8
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28946-1
- Description
-
].
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[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Agroforestry Uses:
Allium species usually grow well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but they inhibit the growth of legumes[
18- Title
- Companion Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B.
- Publisher
- Watkins
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Details of beneficial and antagonistic relationships between neighbouring plants.
,
20- Title
- Companion Planting for Successful Gardening.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Riotte. L.
- Publisher
- Garden Way, Vermont, USA.
- Year
- 1978
- ISBN
- 0-88266-064-0
- Description
- Fairly good.
,
54- Title
- How to Enjoy your Weeds.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hatfield. A. W.
- Publisher
- Frederick Muller Ltd
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
- 0-584-10141-4
- Description
- Interesting reading.
]. They are, in general, bad companions for alfalfa - each species negatively affecting the other[
201- Title
- A - Z of Companion Planting.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allardice.P.
- Publisher
- Cassell Publishers Ltd.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0-304-34324-2
- Description
- A well produced and very readable book.
].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[
233- Title
- Perennial Garden Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thomas. G. S.
- Publisher
- J. M. Dent & Sons, London.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0 460 86048 8
- Description
- A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
].
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[
20- Title
- Companion Planting for Successful Gardening.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Riotte. L.
- Publisher
- Garden Way, Vermont, USA.
- Year
- 1978
- ISBN
- 0-88266-064-0
- Description
- Fairly good.
].
The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles[
20- Title
- Companion Planting for Successful Gardening.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Riotte. L.
- Publisher
- Garden Way, Vermont, USA.
- Year
- 1978
- ISBN
- 0-88266-064-0
- Description
- Fairly good.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
