Oriental Royal Salep
Allium macleanii

Family: Amaryllidaceae

What it is like

An onion family plant. A bulb plant. It grows to 1 m high. The bulbs are 2 - 6 cm across. They have papery coats. The leaves are green and at the base and up to 8 cm across. The flower stems grow 1 m long. The stems have distinct ribs. The flowers are star shaped and purple.

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 is native to Afghanistan and central Asia. It grows naturally on gentle slopes at low altitudes to 1200 metres in Afghanistan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran, Middle East, Tajikistan

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 to flavour salads.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, root, bulb

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by dividing the clumps.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Allium elatum Regel;