Wild leek
Allium synnotii

Family: Amaryllidaceae

What it is like

An onion family bulb plant. It grows up to 60 cm high. It has a dense cluster of purple flowers.

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 grows naturally in dry areas in South Africa from Clanwilliam to Riversdale and Long Kloof.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Europe, Norway, Scandinavia, South Africa, Southern Africa

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

It can be grown from seed or division of the bulbs. Bulbs should be planted fairly deeply.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Allium dregeanum Kunth; Allium rotundum var. synnotii (G. Don) Regel; Allium synnotianum Schult. & Schult.f.; Alllium verrucosum G. Don;