Allium sphaerocephalon

Ball -headed leek (Allium sphaerocephalon )

The ball -headed leek (Allium sphaerocephalon ) is a species of the genus Allium (Allium ) in the subfamily of the leek plants ( Allioideae ).

Features

The ball -headed leek is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches the plant height of 30 to 90 centimeters. This Geophyt forms onions with diameters of up to 3.5 cm as Überdauerungsorgan; it formed no small bulblets. The leaves are hollow and semi-cylindrical.

On a long inflorescence stem is a spherical, Doldiger inflorescence with many flowers. The usually two ( rarely one ) bracts are shorter than the inflorescence and long lasting. The six stamens protrude from the perianth. The six equal multiform bracts are purple.

The flowering period extends from June to July.

Occurrence

The ball -headed leek flourishes in the Pannonian region in Flore of hill and montane zone. The ball -headed leek occurs in thickets, vineyards, fields, in waste places, dry and semi- dry grasslands.

Use

The ball -headed leek is widely used as an ornamental plant in borders and rock gardens as well as a cut flower. He 's culture since the 20th century.

The leaves and onion as onion - Erstatz can be eaten raw or cooked. The flowers can be eaten raw and are used as decoration for salads.

Documents

• Corner Hardt J. Hunter, Friedrich Ebel, Peter Hanelt, Gerd Müller K. (ed.): Rothmaler Exkursionsflora of Germany. Volume 5: Herbaceous ornamental and useful plants. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 2008, ISBN 978-3-8274-0918-8.
• Allium sphaerocephalon at Ernst and Susanne Horak: Botany in the image of the Natural History Museum in Vienna.