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Allium paradoxum
  • Few-Flowered Leek

a member of the Allium genus in the family Alliaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Allium paradoxum has 0 edible uses listed
Allium paradoxum has 0 material uses listed
Allium paradoxum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in very large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Bulb - raw or cooked. The rather small bulb is up to 10mm in diameter[2], it has a mild garlic flavour and can be used as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods. It is harvested in early summer when the plant has died down and will store for at least 6 months[K].

Leaves - raw or cooked. A leek substitute[K]. The leaves are available from late autumn until the spring, they are nice in salads when they are young, or cooked as a vegetable or flavouring as they get older[K]. The leaves have a milder and more delicate flavour than onions[K].

Flowers - raw. Juicy with a mild garlic flavour, they make a tasty and decorative garnish on salads[K].

Flowers

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent. The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles[3].

Unknown part

Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Although no specific mention of medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) 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[K].

Unknown part

Anticholesterolemic
Digestive
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse or cold frame. It germinates quickly and can be grown on in the greenhouse for the first year, planting out the dormant bulbs in the late summer of the following year if they have developed sufficiently, otherwise grow on in pots for a further year. Stored seed can be sown in spring in a greenhouse.

Bulbils, harvested in mid to late spring, can either be planted immediately or be stored and then planted in late summer.

Division in summer after the plants have died down. Very easy, the bulbs divide fairly freely and can be dug up then replanted direct into their permanent positions if required.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Allium paradoxum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a rich moist but well-drained soil[4][5]. Plants grow well in a heavy wet clay soil in north-west England, where they are self-sowing[6]. Plants are shade tolerant[7], they are easily grown in a cool leafy soil[8] and grow well in light moist woodland[6].

Plants are not very hardy outside the milder areas of Britain, they tolerate temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[2]. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[4]. There are two forms of this species. The sub-species A. paradoxum paradoxum produces mainly bulbils instead of flowers, this form is naturalized in Britain and can spread quite invasively[K]. The sub-species A. paradoxum normale does not form bulbils. It produces a large umbel of flowers in the spring and is very ornamental at this time. It is not invasive[200, K]. The seeds have an oil-bearing appendage which is attractive to ants. The ants carry the seed away to eat the oil and then discard the seed, thus aiding dispersal of the plant[6]. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes[9][3][10]. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other[11]. The picked flowers can remain fresh for several weeks[12].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[13].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Allium paradoxum. 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 paradoxum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Allium paradoxum
Genus
Allium
Family
Alliaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[3]
Botanic
[14][2]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.25 x 0.1 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees, Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO ISBN 0112425291 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    5. ? Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. (1938-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Davies. D. Alliums. The Ornamental Onions. Batsford ISBN 0-7134-7030-5 (1992-00-00)
    7. ? Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland. ()
    8. ? Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30253-1 (1989-00-00)
    9. ? Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
    10. ? Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)
    11. ? Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
    12. ? Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press ISBN 0-7012-0784-1 (1987-00-00)
    13. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    14. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Allium paradoxum 01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Allium_paradoxum&oldid=74914"
    Facts about "Allium paradoxum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyAlliaceae +
    Belongs to genusAllium +
    Has common nameFew-Flowered Leek +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFlowers +, Leaves + and Root +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeBee + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has imageAllium paradoxum 01.jpg +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useRepellent +
    Has mature height0.25 +
    Has mature width0.1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnticholesterolemic +, Digestive + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageAllium paradoxum 01.jpg +
    Has search nameallium paradoxum + and x +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teheavy clayture preferenceHeavy clay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameAllium paradoxum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +