Shallots, Everlasting Onion
Allium cepa var. aggregatum

Family: Amaryllidaceae

What it is like

These onion like plants produce a cluster of bulbs. They are narrowly oval. It grows to 1.2 m high. The leaves are round and hollow. This is a genuinely perennial form of Allium cepa, the bulb grows deeper in the soil and divides to produce a number of underground bulbs each year in much the same way as shallots. Large bulbs divide to form 5-15 bulbs whilst smaller bulbs grow into one large bulb. They do not produce bulbils in the flower-head.

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

A temperate plant. They can be grown throughout the country in Papua New Guinea but do best in the cooler higher places. In Papua New Guinea it is recorded between sea level and 2,800 m above sea level. They need a fertile well drained soil. They are frost resistant. They tolerate a pH in the range 4.5 to 8.3. It suits hardiness zones 5-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, Cuba, East Africa, Ecuador, Europe, Finland, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Niue, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tonga, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

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.

This is becoming a well accepted and popular vegetable for flavouring foods in most parts of Papua New Guinea. It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, bulbs, vegetable, flowers

How it is grown

Normally plants are grown by planting one bulb. It is best to plant them on slightly raised beds. Plants should be about 20 cm apart.

Its other names

Local names

Aka wakegi, Alubosa, Bawang merah, Bunching onion, Cebollo corojo, Chhyapi, Chota piaz, Ever-ready onion, Hanh huong, Hom daeng, Huo cong, Khtim kraham, Kon tsung-tau, Kyet-thun-ni, Multiplier onion, Onioni, Potato onion, Rathu-lunu, Sibuyas

Synonyms

Allium ascalonicum L.; Allium cepa var. ascalonicum; Allium cepa multiplicans Bailey; Allium cepa var. solaninum Alef.; See note in Flora of China about name Allium ascalonicum.