Rosy Garlic, Rosy-flowered garlic
Allium roseum

Family: Amaryllidaceae

What it is like

An onion family plant. It is a bulb plant. It grows 60 cm high and spreads 8 cm wide. It forms a bulb and keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are thin and like chive leaves. There are 2-4 leaves. They have a keel. They sheath the lower fifth of the flower stalk. The bract around the flowers is single with 3-4 lobes. It is papery and remains on the stalk. The flowers are red to white. They are bell shaped and 7-12 mm long. They are borne on equal length stalks in a group up to 7 cm across. It forms bulbils.

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 a temperate or Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in grassy and bushy places and on dry ground. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Australia, Balkans, Britain, China, Crete, Croatia, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Libya, Mediterranean, Morocco, North Africa, Portugal, Sicily, Spain, Tibet, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

It is used as a spice or flavouring. The bulbs are eaten raw in salads and also boiled.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, root, bulb, vegetable

How it is grown

It can be grown from bulbils.

Its other names

Local names

Agghiu sarvaggiu, Ajo porro, Azoul, Bsal barri, Gazoul, Korrath, Korrita, Porru, Tallaghouda, Toum lberry, Yazoul

Synonyms

Allium africanum F. Dietr.; and many others