Allium thunbergii facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Allium thunbergii
Allium thunbergii 'Ozawa' in the garden of botanist Robert R. Kowal, Madison, Wisconsin
Scientific classification
Genus:	Allium
Species:	thunbergii
Synonyms
Synonymy Allium arenarium Thunb. Allium bakeri var. morrisonense (Hayata) T.S.Liu & S.S.Ying Allium bakeri var. morrisonense (Hayata) Tang S. Liu & S.S. Ying Allium cyaneum f. stenodon (Nakai & Kitag.) Kitag. Allium cyaneum var. stenodon (Nakai & Kitag.) Kitag. Allium japonicum Steud. Allium morrisonense Hayata Allium nerinifolium Baker Allium odorum Thunb. 1784, illegitimate homonym not L. 1767 Allium plurifoliatum var. stenodon (Nakai & Kitag.) J.M.Xu Allium pseudocyaneum Grüning Allium sacculiferum var. glaucum P.P.Gritz. Allium sacculiferum var. robustum P.P.Gritz. Allium senescens Thunb. Allium stenodon Nakai & Kitag. Allium triquetrum Lour. Allium yamarakyo Honda

Allium thunbergii, also known as Thunberg's chive or Thunberg garlic, is a type of wild onion. It grows naturally in East Asia, including Japan (like the Bonin and Ryukyu Islands), Korea, and China (including Taiwan). This plant can be found growing in high places, sometimes up to 3,000 meters (about 9,800 feet) above sea level.

What Does Thunberg's Chive Look Like?

Close-up of Allium thunbergii flowers

Allium thunbergii grows from one or two egg-shaped bulbs. These bulbs can be up to 20 millimeters (about 0.8 inches) wide. The plant has a tall stem called a scape, which can reach up to 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) in height.

Its leaves are longer than the scape. They are hollow and have a triangular shape when you look at them from the side. The plant produces many red or purple flowers that grow in a tight cluster called an umbel.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The second part of the plant's scientific name, thunbergii, is a tribute to a famous Swedish botanist named Carl Peter Thunberg. A botanist is a scientist who studies plants.

Why Is This Plant Special?

Allium thunbergii has received a special award called the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. This award means that the plant is excellent for growing in gardens. It shows that the plant is reliable and beautiful.

Where Do Different Types Grow?

There are a few different types, or "varieties," of Allium thunbergii. Each variety grows in specific places:

• Allium thunbergii var. deltoides is found in Gayasan National Park in Korea.
• Allium thunbergii var. teretifolium also grows in Korea.
• The main type, Allium thunbergii var. thunbergii, is found across China, Japan, and Korea.