Allium paradoxum
Allium paradoxum
Safety & Hazards
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[ 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 paradoxum is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing a single leaf up to 33cm long and a flowering scape 15 - 30cm tall from a globose bulb up to 10mm in diameter. In reasonable conditions the plant can spread freely by division, self-sowing and (subspecies paradoxum) by bulbils to form large colonies. The plant is widely harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sold as a food in local markets in Iran and is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens. The sub-species Allium 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 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. , K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ]. The second subspecies, Allium paradoxum paradoxum produces mainly bulbils instead of flowers, this form is naturalized in many parts of Europe where it has become a weed and can spread quite invasively[ K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ].