Tree onion: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:42, 10 February 2025

Tree Onion

The tree onion (Allium _ proliferum), also known as the Egyptian walking onion, is a perennial plant that is a hybrid between the common onion (Allium cepa) and the Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum). It is known for its unique growth habit, where small bulbs, or bulbils, form at the top of the stalks, which can then fall over and take root, giving the plant its "walking" characteristic.

Description

Tree onions are hardy perennials that can survive in a variety of climates. They have hollow, cylindrical leaves similar to those of the scallion or green onion. The plant produces a cluster of small bulbs at the top of the stalk, which can be harvested and replanted. These bulbils are often used in cooking, much like regular onions.

Cultivation

Tree onions are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun but can tolerate partial shade. The plant is propagated by planting the bulbils or by dividing the clumps of bulbs that form underground. Tree onions are often grown in kitchen gardens for their unique appearance and culinary uses.

Culinary Uses

The bulbils and young shoots of the tree onion can be used in a variety of dishes. They have a flavor similar to that of regular onions but are milder. Tree onions are popular in Asian cuisine, where they are used in dishes such as pajeon (Korean green onion pancake) and kimchi.

Haemulpajeon, a Korean pancake made with green onions

Related Species

Tree onions are closely related to several other species in the Allium genus, including:

Allium cepa (common onion)
Allium fistulosum (Welsh onion)
Allium schoenoprasum (chives)

Related Pages

External Links

How to Grow Onions - Gardener's World

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-'''Tree Onion''' (''Allium × proliferum''), also known as [[Egyptian onion]], [[top onion]], [[walking onion]], or [[catawissa onion]], is a type of [[onion]] that produces a cluster of bulblets at the top of its stalk instead of seeds. These bulblets can be planted to produce new plants, making the tree onion a type of [[vegetative propagation|vegetatively propagating]] perennial.
+== Tree Onion ==
+The '''tree onion''' (''Allium _ proliferum''), also known as the '''Egyptian walking onion''', is a perennial plant that is a hybrid between the [[common onion]] (''Allium cepa'') and the [[Welsh onion]] (''Allium fistulosum''). It is known for its unique growth habit, where small bulbs, or bulbils, form at the top of the stalks, which can then fall over and take root, giving the plant its "walking" characteristic.
+[[File:Allium_fistulosum_bulbifera0.jpg|thumb|right|Tree onion bulbils]]
 == Description ==
-The tree onion plant is similar in appearance to the common onion (''[[Allium cepa]]''), but differs in its method of reproduction. Instead of producing seeds, the tree onion produces a cluster of small bulblets at the top of its stalk. These bulblets, which are essentially miniature onions, can fall to the ground and take root, producing new plants. This method of reproduction gives the tree onion its alternate names of "walking onion" and "Egyptian onion".
+Tree onions are hardy perennials that can survive in a variety of climates. They have hollow, cylindrical leaves similar to those of the [[scallion]] or [[green onion]]. The plant produces a cluster of small bulbs at the top of the stalk, which can be harvested and replanted. These bulbils are often used in cooking, much like regular onions.
 == Cultivation ==
-Tree onions are easy to cultivate and can be grown in a variety of [[soil]] types, although they prefer well-drained soil. They can be planted in both [[spring]] and [[autumn]], and are generally harvested in late summer. The bulblets can be used in the same way as regular onions, and have a strong, pungent flavor.
+Tree onions are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun but can tolerate partial shade. The plant is propagated by planting the bulbils or by dividing the clumps of bulbs that form underground. Tree onions are often grown in [[kitchen gardens]] for their unique appearance and culinary uses.
+== Culinary Uses ==
+The bulbils and young shoots of the tree onion can be used in a variety of dishes. They have a flavor similar to that of regular onions but are milder. Tree onions are popular in [[Asian cuisine]], where they are used in dishes such as [[pajeon]] (Korean green onion pancake) and [[kimchi]].
-== History and Distribution ==
+[[File:Haemulpajeon.jpg|thumb|right|Haemulpajeon, a Korean pancake made with green onions]]
+[[File:Scallion_kimchi.jpg|thumb|right|Scallion kimchi]]
-The exact origins of the tree onion are unknown, but it is believed to have been cultivated in the [[Middle East]] for thousands of years. It was introduced to [[Europe]] and [[North America]] by traders and explorers, and is now grown in many parts of the world.
+== Related Species ==
-== Uses ==
+Tree onions are closely related to several other species in the ''Allium'' genus, including:
-In addition to their use as a food crop, tree onions are also grown for their ornamental value. The unusual appearance of the bulblet cluster at the top of the stalk makes them a unique addition to any [[garden]].
+* [[Allium cepa]] (common onion)
+* [[Allium fistulosum]] (Welsh onion)
+* [[Allium schoenoprasum]] (chives)
-== See Also ==
+== Related Pages ==
-* [[Allium]]
 * [[Onion]]
-* [[Perennial plant]]
+* [[Scallion]]
-* [[Vegetative propagation]]
+* [[Chives]]
+* [[Garlic]]
+== External Links ==
+* [https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-onions/ How to Grow Onions] - Gardener's World
 [[Category:Allium]]
+[[Category:Edible plants]]
 [[Category:Perennial plants]]
-[[Category:Vegetables]]
-{{Allium-stub}}