Allium ovalifolium facts for kids

Allium ovalifolium is a type of onion plant that grows in China. It's sometimes called the "oval-leaf onion." People often grow it in gardens around the world because its flowers are very pretty. This plant likes to grow high up in the mountains, usually between 1,500 and 4,000 meters (about 4,900 to 13,000 feet) above sea level. In some parts of China, like the Shangri-La area, local people, especially the Tibetan community, eat the plant's flower stalks as food.

What Does it Look Like?

Allium ovalifolium grows from narrow, tube-shaped underground parts called bulbs. These bulbs help the plant store food.

Stems and Leaves

The plant sends up tall, round stems called scapes. These can grow up to 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) tall. The leaves are flat and can be shaped like a spear (lanceolate) or an egg (ovate). They can be up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long and 7 centimeters (about 3 inches) wide.

Flowers

At the top of the scape, you'll find a round cluster of many flowers. This flower cluster is called an Umbel. The flowers are usually white or a pale red color. They grow very close together, making the umbel look full and dense.

Where Does it Grow?

Allium ovalifolium is native to China. It grows in several different provinces.

Different Types of Allium ovalifolium

Scientists have found a few different types, or varieties, of Allium ovalifolium. These varieties are often named based on where they grow or small differences in their appearance.

• Allium ovalifolium var. cordifolium - This variety is found in the Sichuan province.
• Allium ovalifolium var. leuconeurum - This variety is also found in the Sichuan province.
• Allium ovalifolium var. ovalifolium - This is the most common variety. It grows in many Chinese provinces, including Gansu, Guizhou, Hubei, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan.