Alliaceae
Alliaceae
Alliaceae (pronounced /ˌæliˈeɪsiː/), also known as the onion family, is a family of flowering plants.
Etymology
The name Alliaceae is derived from the genus Allium, which is Latin for garlic. The family name was first established by the French botanist Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in 1789.
Description
Alliaceae are herbaceous plants that are perennial. They are characterized by their onion or garlic-like scent, and their flowers are usually arranged in an umbel. The family includes several well-known cultivated plants, such as onions, garlic, chives, and leeks.
Taxonomy
The Alliaceae family was formerly included in the lily family (Liliaceae), but is now recognized as a separate family by most taxonomists. The family is divided into three subfamilies: Allioideae, Tulbaghioideae, and Gilliesioideae.
Genera
The Alliaceae family includes about 18 genera and approximately 800 species. The most well-known genus is Allium, which includes onions, garlic, chives, and leeks. Other notable genera include Tulbaghia (wild garlic) and Gilliesia.
Distribution and habitat
Alliaceae are found worldwide, but are most common in the northern hemisphere. They are typically found in dry or mountainous regions.
Uses
Many species in the Alliaceae family are cultivated for their edible bulbs, leaves, or flowers. They are also used in traditional medicine and as ornamental plants.
Related terms
- Allium: A genus in the Alliaceae family that includes onions, garlic, chives, and leeks.
- Tulbaghia: A genus in the Alliaceae family, also known as wild garlic.
- Gilliesia: A genus in the Alliaceae family.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Alliaceae
- Wikipedia's article - Alliaceae
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski