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    Wild onion benefits and uses

    By SylviaSeptember 17, 2018Updated:September 17, 2018No Comments7 Mins Read
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    Wild onion benefits and uses

     Some people call it wild garlic; some people call it field garlic. Whatever you call it, Allium vineale is actually a strong and flavorful vegetable. The flavor and appearance actually resemble those of onion more than garlic. It is a perennial, bulb forming species in the lily (Liliaceae) family and is native to North-western Africa (i.e. Algeria and Morocco), the Canary Islands, Europe and western Asia (i.e. Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan). The species was introduced in Australia and North America, where it has become a harmful weed. Few of the popular common names of the plant are crow garlic, false garlic, field garlic, scallions, stag garlic, stag’s garlic, wild garlic, wild onion, compact onion and Koch’s garlic. All parts of the plant have a strong garlic odor.

    Plant Description

    Wild onion (Allium vineale), also called scallions, and wild garlic, is a upright, erect, long-lived, perennial, herbaceous plant perennial plant in Liliaceae family that grows about 30-60 cm tall, but sometimes reaching up to 1 m in height. The plant is found growing in prairie remnants and other areas along railroads, degraded meadows near rivers or woodlands, woodland borders and thickets, vacant lots, grassy clay banks, poorly maintained lawns, and waste areas. The plant prefers heavy soil containing some clay. However, other kinds of soil are tolerated as well.

    Root

    The primary underground structure is a bulb (2/5 to 4/5 inch wide), which produces fibrous roots from the bottom surface. Bulbs are oval or rounded, and covered with a brittle, membranous, papery outer layer. Mature bulbs produce 2 types of underground bulb lets at the base. Soft-coated bulb lets (1/3 to 2/3 inch long) are white and teardrop-shaped, and can germinate the first autumn. Hard-coated bulb lets (1/2 inch long) are light brown, oval and flattened on one side, and germinate the following spring or later.

    Stems

    The smooth, waxy stems are erect, unbranched, slender, hairless and rounded, and can grow 1 to 3 1/2 feet high. Stems are usually solid, and become rigid with age.

    Leaves

    Basal leaves emerge from the bulb, and are 1/2 to 2 feet long, slender, smooth, hollow, and nearly round in cross section. Stem leaves are produced along the lower half of the stem, and are composed of a tubular sheath surrounding the stem and a smooth, hollow, grass-like blade. The blades are flattened at the base, but nearly round toward the end. The sheaths cover the lower half of the stem.

    Flowers

    Flowers or aerial bulblets are produced in dense spherical clusters (3/4 to 2 inches wide) at the tops of stems. Clusters are initially covered in a papery bract (spathe). Flowers are purplish to greenish (sometimes white), with 6 small petals, and are borne on short stalks above the bulblets. Aerial bulblets are commonly produced in place of some or all the flowers, and are oval or teardrop-shaped and very small (1/8 to 1/5 inch long). They are smooth, shiny, and often develop miniature, tail-like green leaves. Flowering normally takes place from June to July.

    Fruits and Seeds

    From the flowers, 2-seeded fruits are produced in egg-shaped small capsules also about 3-4 mm long. Seeds are about also about 3-4 mm long, flattened on one side, dull black, and wrinkled. Seeds start ripening from August to September.

    Wild onion Image Gallery
    Plant-Illustration-of-Wild-onion Plant-Illustration-of-Wild-onion
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    Wild-onion-Seeds Wild-onion-Seeds

    Wild-onion-plants-growing-wild Wild-onion-plants-growing-wild
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    Wild-onion-farming Wild-onion-farming

    Unmature-bulbils-of-Wild-onion Unmature-bulbils-of-Wild-onion
    Sketch-of-wild-Onion Sketch-of-wild-Onion
    Seedlings-of-Wild-onion Seedlings-of-Wild-onion

    Bulbs-of-wild-Onion Bulbs-of-wild-Onion
    Mature-bulbils-of-Wild-onion Mature-bulbils-of-Wild-onion
    Leaves-of-Wild-Onion Leaves-of-Wild-Onion

    Individual-Bulbils-of-Wild-onion Individual-Bulbils-of-Wild-onion
    Flower-of-Wild-onion Flower-of-Wild-onion
    Flower-heads-of-Wild-onion Flower-heads-of-Wild-onion

    Flower-bud-and-leaf-of-Wild-onion Flower-bud-and-leaf-of-Wild-onion
    Closer-view-of-Wild-onion-bulb Closer-view-of-Wild-onion-bulb
    Closer-view-of-leaf-base-and-stem Closer-view-of-leaf-base-and-stem

    Health benefits of Wild onion

    If you’re one of those expecting mothers who think you need to be chowing on oranges and pills to ensure sufficient intake of folate, firstly congratulations! Secondly, allium plants are excellent sources of natural folic acid. 100g of fresh leaves is just 30 calories! Those 30 calories is jam packed with many flavonoid antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals like pyridoxine, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, carotenes, Zeaxanthin, lutein, and so much more. Together, they work to strengthen the immune system and protect the body from different types of cancer. Listed are few of the health benefits of Wild onion

    1. Bone Health

    Just 70 grams of Wild onion provides the daily recommended intake of Vitamin K, which has a potential role in bone health by promoting bone formation and strengthening activity. Sufficient vitamin K levels in the diet help limit neuronal damage in the brain which displays an established role in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

    2. Protects your heart and brain

    Wild onion decreases blood vessel stiffness by release of nitric oxide and brings a reduction in the total blood pressure. It prevents platelet clot formation and has fibrinolytic action in the blood vessels which helps decrease an overall risk of coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular diseases, and stroke. It decreases the production of bad cholesterol and makes your liver very happy. They’re also found to have strong antiviral, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.

    3. Cancer

    Extracts from Wild onion leaves have been shown to prevent the growth of various types of cancers including breast, lung and colon cancer. In this regard, it is more beneficial than regular garlic.

    4. Problems with gut health

    Like its cultivated relative, Wild onion can be beneficial for gut flora. Your gut flora has an impact on multiple aspects of your mental and physical health.

    Traditional uses and benefits of Wild onion

    • Whole plant is anti-asthmatic, blood purifier, carminative, cathartic, diuretic, expectorant, hypotensive, stimulant and vasodilator.
    • Tincture is used to prevent worms and colic in children, and also as a remedy for croup.
    • Raw root can be eaten to reduce blood pressure and also to ease shortness of breath.
    • They contain sulphur compounds and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system.
    • It also may help to regulate blood sugar and is loaded with vitamins and minerals.

    Culinary Uses

    • Leaves raw or cooked are used as a garlic.
    • Bulb is used as a flavoring.
    • Leaves of wild garlic are foraged to make soups, sauces (similar to pesto), as well as cheeses.
    • Leaves can also be eaten raw like salad greens.
    • You can also chop them finely and add them to mashed potatoes the way you might add chives.
    • Flowers are edible and can be used to garnish salads.
    • Steamed leaf stalks with buds make an interesting alternative to spaghetti.
    • Young fruits make a spicy condiment.
    • Leaves can also be made into a puree with nuts, mustard leaves, olive oil and lemon juice to make a pesto that can be used with pasta or added as flavoring to stews, burgers and other meats.”
    • Leaves could be wrapped around lamb or fish and grilled for a mild garlic flavor.
    • During 19th century, wild garlic was used to flavor butter instead of salt.
    • For a quick bite, the young leaves can be eaten with bread and butter.
    • Leaves are eaten in spring salads dressed with oil and vinegar, cooked like spinach or made into a sour soup in Romania.

    Other facts

    • While Allium vineale has been suggested as a substitute for garlic, it has an unpleasant after taste compared to that of garlic.
    • Juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent.
    • Whole plant is said to repel insects and moles.
    • Juice of the plant can be rubbed on exposed parts of the body to repel biting insects, scorpions etc.

    Precautions

    • There have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of this species.
    • Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible.

    References:

    https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/31789/

    https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=2416

    https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Allium+vineale

    https://www.cabi.org/ISC/datasheet/4255

    http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/weeds/wild-garlic.aspx

    http://www.floracatalana.net/allium-vineale-l-

    http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-296924

    https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ALVI

    https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=42637#null

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allium_vineale

    http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/field_garlic.htm

    http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/single_weed.php?id=46

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    Wild Onion facts

    Wild onion Quick Facts
    Name: Wild onion
    Scientific Name: Allium vineale
    Origin North-western Africa, the Canary Islands, Europe and western Asia
    Colors Egg-shaped capsules
    Taste Delicious, sweet and pungent taste
    Health benefits Beneficial for Cancer, Problems with gut health, heart and brain health and Bone Health
    Name Wild onion
    Scientific Name Allium vineale
    Native North-western Africa (i.e. Algeria and Morocco), the Canary Islands, Europe and western Asia (i.e. Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan)
    Common Names Crow garlic, false garlic, field garlic, scallions, stag garlic, stag’s garlic, wild garlic, wild onion, compact onion, Koch’s garlic
    Name in Other Languages Arabic: Sini alghazal (سن الغزال)
    Catalan: All de colobra
    Croatian:   Luk vinogradarski, Vinogradarski luk
    Danish: Sand-løg, Vildt løg
    Dutch: Kraailook, Kuifhyacint-knol
    English: Crow garlic, False garlic, Field garlic, Stag garlic, Wild garlic, Wild onion, Scallions, compact onion, Koch’s garlic
    Finnish: Hietalaukka
    French: Ail des vignes, Ail sauvage, Oignon sauvage
    German: Kochs Lauch, Weinberglauch, Weinbergs-Lauch, Hundslauch, Wildzwiebel
    Italian:  Aglio delle vigne, Cipolla selvatica
    Latvian: Vinkalnu sipols
    Netherlands: Kraailook
    Norwegian:  Strandlauk
    Occitan: Alhòlas, Porriòla
    Polish:  Czosnek winnicowy
    Portuguese: Cebola selvage, alho-vinhedo, alho-das-vinhas
    Serbian:   Balučka, Divlji žbun, Divlji luk, Pravi lučac, Pupa
    Slovanian:   Vinograjski luk
    Spanish:   Ajo cimarrón,  Ajo de las viñas,  Cebolla silvestre, Puerrillo silvestre, Puerro de viña, Ajito de las viñas
    Swedish: Purpursandlök, Sandlök
    Plant Growth Habit Upright, erect, long-lived, perennial, herbaceous plant
    Growing Climates Prairie remnants and other areas along railroads, degraded meadows near rivers or woodlands, woodland borders and thickets, vacant lots, grassy clay banks, poorly maintained lawns, and waste areas
    Soil Preferred heavy soil containing some clay. However, other kinds of soil are tolerated as well
    Plant Size 30-60 cm tall, but sometimes reaching up to 1 m in height
    Bulb Underground bulb is 1-2 cm diameter, with a fibrous outer layer
    Stem 30-120 cm tall, cylindrical and hairless
    In Leaf October to August
    Leaf Slender hollow tubes, 15-60 cm long and 2-4 mm thick, waxy textured, with a groove along the side of the leaf facing the stem
    Flowering Season June to July
    Flower Individual flower is stalked and has a pinkish-green perianth 2.5 to 4.5 mm (0.10 to 0.18 in) long. There are six tepals, six stamens and a pistil formed from three fused carpels
    Fruit Shape & Size Egg-shaped capsules
    Reproduction From Seed, aerial bulb-lets and bulbs
    Seed 1/8 inch long, flattened on one side, dull black, and wrinkled
    Flavor/aroma Strong garlic odor
    Taste Delicious, sweet and pungent taste
    Season August to September
    Health Benefits
    • Beneficial for Cancer
    • Problems with gut health
    • Heart and brain health
    • Bone Health

    Wild onion Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name: Allium vineale

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
    Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (land plants)
    Superdivision Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
    Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
    Subdivision Spermatophytina  (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames)
    Class Liliopsida (Monocotyledons)
    Subclass Liliidae
    Superorder Lilianae  (monocots, monocotyledons, monocotyledons)
    Order Liliales
    Family Liliaceae (Lily family)
    Genus Allium L. (onion)
    Species Allium vineale L. (wild garlic)
    Synonyms
    • Allium affine Boiss. & Heldr.
    • Allium arenarium Fr.
    • Allium arenarium Wahlenb.
    • Allium arvense Boreau
    • Allium assimile Halácsy
    • Allium campestre Bubani, 1902
    • Allium campestre Schleich.
    • Allium campestre Schleich. ex Steud.
    • Allium campestre infrasubsp. publ
    • Allium canadense Schult. & Schult.f.
    • Allium compactum Thuill.
    • Allium descendens W.D.J.Koch
    • Allium guttatum var. compactum (Batt. & Trab.) Franco & Rocha Afonso
    • Allium kochii Lange
    • Allium laxiflorum Tausch
    • Allium littoreum Bertol.
    • Allium margaritaceum var. bulbiferum Batt. & Trab.
    • Allium margaritaceum var. compactum Batt. & Trab.
    • Allium monspessulanum Willd. ex Schltdl., 1813
    • Allium nitens Sauzé & Maillard
    • Allium purshii G.Don
    • Allium rilaense Panov
    • Allium rotundum Wimm. & Grab.
    • Allium sphaerocephalon var. compactum (Thuill.) Cariot & St.-Lag., 1889
    • Allium sphaerocephalum Crome
    • Allium sphaerocephalum Crome ex Schltdl.
    • Allium subvineale Wendelbo
    • Allium vineale f. compactum (Thuill.) Bolzon
    • Allium vineale f. virens Boiss.
    • Allium vineale subsp. affine (Regel) K.Richt.
    • Allium vineale subsp. asperiflorum (Regel) K.Richt.
    • Allium vineale subsp. capsuliferum (W.D.J.Koch) K.Richt.
    • Allium vineale subsp. compactum (Thuill.) Berher, 1887
    • Allium vineale subsp. compactum (Thuill.) Coss. & Germ.
    • Allium vineale subsp. compactum (Thuill.) K.Richt.
    • Allium vineale subsp. kochii (Lange) K.Richt.
    • Allium vineale subsp. kochii (Lange) Nyman
    • Allium vineale subsp. vineale L.
    • Allium vineale var. affine Regel
    • Allium vineale var. asperiflorum Regel
    • Allium vineale var. biceps Gray
    • Allium vineale var. bulbiferum Syme
    • Allium vineale var. capsuliferum Syme
    • Allium vineale var. capsuliferum W.D.J.Koch
    • Allium vineale var. compactum (Thuill.) Asch.
    • Allium vineale var. compactum (Thuill.) Lej. & Courtois
    • Allium vineale var. compactum (Thuill.) Mérat
    • Allium vineale var. compactum Boreau
    • Allium vineale var. descendens Nyman
    • Allium vineale var. kochii Lange
    • Allium vineale var. laxiflorum (Tausch) Rouy, 1910
    • Allium vineale var. monspessulanum (Willd. ex Schltdl.) P.Fourn., 1935
    • Allium vineale var. multiflorum Baguet
    • Allium vineale var. nitens (Sauzé & Maillard) Nyman
    • Allium vineale var. nitens (Sauzé & Maillard) P.Fourn., 1935
    • Allium vineale var. pratense Mérat
    • Allium vineale var. purshii (G.Don) Regel
    • Allium vineale var. sylvaticum Mérat
    • Allium vineale var. typicum Asch. & Graebn
    • Allium vineale var. virens Boiss., 1882
    • Getuonis vinealis (L.) Raf.
    • Porrum capitatum P.Renault
    • Porrum vineale (L.) Schur
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