Allium nutans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Allium nutans |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Allium nutans at the New York Botanical Garden | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Allium
|
| Species: |
nutans
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Allium nutans is a type of onion plant. It is often called Siberian chives or blue chives. This plant grows naturally in many parts of Asia and Eastern Europe. You can find it in countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China. It likes to grow in wet places, such as damp meadows.
What is Siberian Chives?
Siberian chives are a wild plant that belongs to the onion family. Like other chives, it has a mild onion flavor. People sometimes use it in cooking, similar to how they use regular chives. It's known for its pretty flowers and unique look.
How Does it Look?
This plant grows from one or two small bulbs. These bulbs can be about 1.5 to 20 centimeters wide.
Stems and Leaves
The main stem of the plant is called a scape. It can grow quite tall, usually between 30 and 60 centimeters. These scapes have two flat sides, almost like they have wings.
The leaves of Siberian chives are flat and get narrower at both ends. They are usually about 6 to 10 millimeters wide. Sometimes, they can be a bit wider, up to 15 millimeters. The leaves are typically about half as long as the tall scapes.
Flowers
At the top of the scape, the plant has a round cluster of flowers. This cluster is called an umbel. It holds many flowers that can be pink or light purple. These flowers make the plant look very attractive when it blooms.
