Uses
Toxic parts
Edible uses
Notes
Leaves - raw or cooked. A pleasant onion flavour, though they should not be harvested in quantity since this would reduce production of the bulbs[K].
Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads. The flowers are somewhat dry and are less pleasant than many other species[K].Flowers
Leaves
Root
Material uses
The plant juice can be used as a rust preventative on metals and as a polish for copper and glass[6]. A yellow-brown dye is obtained from the skins of the bulbs[7][8]. Onion juice rubbed into the skin is said to promote the growth of hair and to be a remedy for baldness[6]. It is also used as a cosmetic to get rid of freckles[6].
The growing plant is said to repel insects and moles[9]. A spray made by pouring enough boiling water to cover 1kg of chopped unpeeled onions is said to increase the resistance of other plants to diseases and parasites[9].Medicinal uses(Warning!)
The bulb is anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, hypotensive, lithontripic, stomachic and tonic[10][6][11]. When used regularly in the diet it offsets tendencies towards angina, arteriosclerosis and heart attack[12]. It is also useful in preventing oral infection and tooth decay[12]. Baked onions can be used as a poultice to remove pus from sores[12].
Fresh onion juice is a very useful first aid treatment for bee and wasp stings, bites, grazes or fungal skin complaints[6][9]. When warmed the juice can be dropped into the ear to treat earache[12]. It also aids the formation of scar tissue on wounds, thus speeding up the healing process, and has been used as a cosmetic to remove freckles[6].Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Allium cepa ascalonicum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
We are using the name A. cepa ascalonicum for this plant in order to differentiate it from the potato onion, A. cepa aggregatum, though it should really be included in A. cepa aggregatum[K]. This is a genuinely perennial form of A. cepa that is widely grown in temperate and tropical areas for its edible bulbs[13]. These are milder but smaller than the onion. There are several named forms[13]. The plant is easier to grow than onions, matures faster and keeps better[13], though yields are lower. Plants are very tolerant of high temperatures up to 30°c and bulbing only occurs at temperatures above 20°c[13]. Plants rarely produce viable seed in temperate areas, they are usually propagated by means of their bulbs, each one dividing up in the growing season to produce from 2 to more than 12 new bulbs[13]. Bulbs can become infected with virus, it is important to only plant clean stock[13]. Closely related to A. oschanini. O.Fedsch., a wild species found in C. Asia. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes[14][15][16]. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other[9].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[17].Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Allium cepa ascalonicum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Allium cepa ascalonicum.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
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