Wild onion, Nodding onion, Lady's leek
Allium cernuum
Family: Amaryllidaceae
What it is like
An onion family bulb plant. It grows to 45 cm high and is 25 cm wide. The bulb is about 50 mm tall and 15 mm wide. The bulbs are grouped on a short rhizome. There are up to 6 leaves per bulb and they are flattened. They are 40 cm long. The flowering stems carry a drooping head of flowers. There are 20-30 pale pink or red, cup-shaped flowers. The flower heads straighten when seeds form.
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 warm temperate plant. The plant grows naturally on ledges, gravels, rocky or wooded slopes and crests ascending to high altitudes in North America from Canada to Mexico. It prefers light well drained soil. Established plants can tolerate drought. It can grow in seaside gardens. It suits hardiness zones 6-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Canada, India, Mexico, North America, Tasmania, USA
How it is used for food
The bulbs are eaten raw or cooked. They are best cooked. They can be dried. The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. The flowers are used raw or to flavour salads.
It has been a popular food.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, roots, bulb
How it is grown
It can be grown from seed or by separating bulbs.