Amaryllidaceae FAMILY

Allium canadense

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible[ 76 Title Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. Publication Author Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Publisher HMSO Year 1984 ISBN 0112425291 Description Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock. ].

Botanical Description

Allium canadense is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing 2 - 6 leaves 20 - 50cm long and a flowering scape 10 - 60cm tall from an underground bulb. The plant divides, forming in time a cluster of plants[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. The plant is often harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It has in the past been cultivated as a vegetable crop[ 203 Title Alliums. The Ornamental Onions. Publication Author Davies. D. Publisher Batsford Year 1992 ISBN 0-7134-7030-5 Description Covers about 200 species of Alliums. A very short section on their uses, good details of their cultivation needs. ]. Some forms of this species produce many bulbils and are considered to be a pernicious weed in some areas of America[ 159 Title Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Publication Author McPherson. A. and S. Publisher Indiana University Press Year 1977 ISBN 0-253-28925-4 Description A nice pocket guide to this region of America. ], there is some risk that they could spread aggressively in other parts of the temperate zone[ 203 Title Alliums. The Ornamental Onions. Publication Author Davies. D. Publisher Batsford Year 1992 ISBN 0-7134-7030-5 Description Covers about 200 species of Alliums. A very short section on their uses, good details of their cultivation needs. ]. Allium canadense mobilense (Reg.)F.M.Ownb., is a form that does not produce bulbils and is much better behaved[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeN. America - Ontario to New Brunswick, south to Texas and Florida

HabitatSandy soils in low woods, thickets and meadows[ 43 Title Gray's Manual of Botany.Eighth Edition Publication Author Fernald. M. L. Publisher American Book Co.; New York Year 1950 ISBN 0442222505 Description A bit dated but a good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America. , 274 Title Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Publication Author Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Website http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm Publisher Botanical Research Institute, Texas. Year 1999 ISBN 1-889878-01-4 Description An excellent flora, which is also available on-line. ]. Roadsides, meadows, woods, and fields at elevations up to 700 metres[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ].