Star of Persia
Allium cristophii

Family: Amaryllidaceae

What it is like

An onion family plant. It is a bulb plant. It grows to 20 cm high and 12 cm across.

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 naturally on gravely slopes in Iran and Russia.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Iran, Middle East, Russia

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.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, root, bulb

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 albopilosum C. H. Wright; Allium bodeanum Regel; Allium walteri Regel;