Common Name:

General Information

Allium trachycoleum is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a bulb around 15 - 20mm in diameter; it produces 5 leaves and a flowering stem around 80cm tall[].
The plant is often harvested from the wild for local use as a food, and it is also sometimes used medicinally.
There are no clear records for population trends for Allium trachycoleum, but it is known that the plant is commonly harvested from the wild for food, at least in Turkey. The plant is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

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 - south and southeast Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Iraq

Habitat

Mountainous and foothills areas, mainly in rocky habitats such as dry stony mountainsides, cliffs, etc, often surrounded by Oak trees; at elevations from 800 - 2,000 metres. Rocky dry grassland, mainly on calcareous soil, in open steppic Oak forest[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Data Deficient
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.80 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Allium trachycoleum
Species in this genus generally prefer a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[].

Edible Uses

Young plants - cooked. Used in the same ways as a wild leek (Allium ampeloprasum)[].

Medicinal

Local people in southeastern Turkey use the plant in traditional therapies[].

Although no other 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 -