Chinese Chives
Allium ramosum

Family: Alliaceae

What it is like

Allium ramosum is a BULB growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Meadows and grassy slopes. Sunny hills and pastures at elevations of 500 - 2100 metres in northern China.

E. Asia - China, Mongolia, Russia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Bulb - raw or cooked. The small bulbs are about 10mm in diameter. Leaves - raw or cooked. The flavour is somewhat between that of garlic and chives. An excellent taste, the leaves have a pleasant sweetness mixed with a strong onion flavour. Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The leaves and bulbs contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour), saponins and bitter substances. They possess antibacterial properties and are used in Vietnam in the treatment of haemoptysis, epistaxis, cough, sore throat, asthma, dysentery, dyspepsia etc. 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. The seed contains alkaloids and saponins. It is used in the treatment of spermatorrhoea, haematuria, incontinence, lumbago etc.

Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Other

Rating:

The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent. The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles.

Repellent: Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.

How it is grown

An easily grown plant, it prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply. A very ornamental plant, the flowers are especially attractive. Very closely related to A. tuberosum. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagating it: 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.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Bulb

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

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.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

A. odoratum. pro parte. A. odorum.