Allium scorodoprasum
Species of flowering plant From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The sand leek (Allium scorodoprasum), also known as rocambole and Korean pickled-peel garlic,[4] is a Eurasian species of wild onion with a native range extending across much of Europe, Middle East, and Korea.[3][5][6][7][8][9]
| Sand leek, rocambole | |
|---|---|
| |
| Allium scorodoprasum[1] | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Amaryllidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Allioideae |
| Genus: | Allium |
| Subgenus: | A. subg. Allium |
| Species: | A. scorodoprasum |
| Binomial name | |
| Allium scorodoprasum | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
|
Synonymy
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The species should not be confused with rocambole garlic, which is A. sativum var. ophioscorodon.
Description
The sand leek is a perennial plant with an egg-shaped bulb. The plant produces two to five unstalked leaves, the bases of which are sheath-like. Each leaf blade is linear, 7–20 millimetres (1⁄4–3⁄4 in) wide,[10] flat with a slight keel, an entire margin and parallel veins. The edges of the leaf and the central vein are rough to the touch. The flowering stem is cylindrical, growing to a height of 30 to 90 cm (12 to 35 in) and the upper half is leafless. The whole plant has an onion-like aroma.
The inflorescence is a globular cluster surrounded by membranous bracts in bud which wither when the flowers open. Each individual flower is stalked and has a purple perianth 4 to 7 mm (1⁄8 to 1⁄4 in) long. There are six tepals, six stamens and a pistil formed from three fused carpels. Mixed with the flowers are a number of purple bulbils. The fruit is a capsule, but the seeds seldom set, and propagation usually takes place when the bulbils are knocked off and grow into new plants.[11]
Distribution and habitat
The natural habitat of A. scorodoprasum is damp broad-leaved woodland, forest margins, shores, hillside meadows and hedgerows. It was at one time used as a kitchen herb and can sometimes be found near old habitations.[11][12]
Cultivation
A. scorodoprasum is edible but seldom cultivated, and has a shorter flower stalk and fewer and more inconsistently shaped cloves than Rocambole garlic. Sand leek also has a dark violet bulb wrapper.[13]
Elephant garlic (properly A. ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum) is also sometimes incorrectly sold as A. scorodoprasum.[citation needed]
Uses
The bulbs and flower bulbils can be cooked similar to garlic, with a milder flavor.[14]
References
External links
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