Round-headed leek, Globe garlic
Allium sphaerocephalon

Family: Amaryllidaceae

What it is like

An onion family plant. It is a bulb plant. It grows 60-90 cm high and spreads 30-50 cm wide. The leaves are hollow and 30 cm long. There are 2-6 leaves on each bulb. They sheath the lower part of the stem. The bract around the flowers has 2 valves and a short beak. The flower-heads are cone shaped. They have small, purple or red flowers. There can sometimes be bulbils. The flower-heads can be 2-4 cm across. The stamens stick out.

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 plant. It grows in sandy and rocky places in grass. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Croatia, Europe, France, Greece, India, Italy, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, Siberia, Slovenia, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The bulbs are eaten. The dried leaves are used as food. The flowers can be eaten raw or used as a garnish on salads. They are used in salads and soups.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, root, bulb

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ajestrino, Ceapa, Kragal luk, Kurrath, Oblasti luk, Round-headed garlic

Synonyms

Allium aegaeum Heldr. & Halacsy; and several others