Aspen onion
Allium bisceptrum

Family: Amaryllidaceae

What it is like

An onion family plant. A bulb plant. It grows to 30 cm high. The bulbs are 10-15 mm wide.

There are about 300-700 Allium species. Most species of Allium are edible (Flora of China). All alliums are edible but they may not all be worth eating! They have also been put in the family Alliaceae.

Where it is found

It grows naturally in Western North America from Oregon to California. It occurs in meadows and aspen groves, occasionally on open slopes.

Countries/locations it is found in

North America, USA

How it is used for food

The bulbs are eaten raw or cooked. The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. The flowers are used raw or to flavour salads. The seed heads can be placed in hot ashes for a few minutes, then the seeds extracted and eaten.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, root, bulb, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by division of clumps. Bulbs should be planted fairly deeply.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Allium bisceptum var. bisceptrum; Allium bisceptum var. palmeri (S. Watson) Cronquist; Allium bisceptum var. utahense M. E. Jones; Allium palmeri S. Watson;