Broadleaf wild leek (Allium ampeloprasum, Sp. Pl.: 294 (1753))

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 294 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Allium

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to C. Asia

Description

The broadleaf wild leek, scientifically known as Allium ampeloprasum, is a notable member of the Amaryllidaceae family. First described in Linnaeus’s “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant has made its mark both in botanical literature and across a diverse range of regions.

Native to a wide geographical expanse, the broadleaf wild leek is found growing in the wild from the captivating ecosystems of Macaronesia to the diverse landscapes of the Mediterranean, extending all the way to Central Asia. This widespread distribution speaks volumes about its adaptability and resilience in various climatic and soil conditions.

The plant itself is recognized for its broad, flat leaves which set it apart from other members of the Allium genus. These leaves are not merely distinctive in appearance but also contribute to the plant’s common name. The broadleaf wild leek exhibits the characteristic onion-like aroma typical of the genus, which can be noted when its tissues are crushed or bruised.

Flowering during the summer months, Allium ampeloprasum produces umbel-shaped clusters of small, usually purple or white flowers. These blossoms attract a variety of pollinators, thus playing a vital role in the ecological web of its native habitats. The plant’s bulbs, which grow underground, are another identifying feature and have been utilized in culinary and traditional medicinal practices in various cultures.

Ecologically, the broadleaf wild leek contributes to the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits. It often thrives in open woodlands, rocky hillsides, and grassy meadows, forming part of the understory flora. Its presence can indicate well-drained soils with moderate fertility, reflecting the plant’s preferences and ecological niche.

In summary, the broadleaf wild leek (Allium ampeloprasum) is a versatile and ecologically significant species with a rich historical background. Its broad geographical range, distinctive morphology, and aromatic quality make it a prominent member of the Amaryllidaceae family, valued both in natural ecosystems and by humans across the world.

Common Names

Fra: ail faux poireau, carambole, poireau d’été, poireau du levant, ail d’orient
Eng: broadleaf wild leek, wild leek, great-headed garlic, leek, levant garlic
Deu: perlzwiebel, porree
Dan: porre
Hun: francia hagyma
Swe: vild purjolök
Nld: prei
Nno: villpurre
Nob: villpurre
Cym: cenhinan wyllt, cenhinen wyllt, cennin gwyllt, garlleg mawr pengrwn
En: Broadleaf wild leek, Wild Leek, Great-headed Garlic, Leek, Levant Garlic, Elephant Garlic, Great round-headed Leek
Ar: بصل العفريت (بَصَل العفريت)
Ca: Porradell
Da: Porre
Nl: Prei
Fr: Ail faux Poireau, Carambole, Poireau d’été, Poireau du Levant, Ail d’Orient, Ail Faux-Poireau, Ail, Ail commun, Ail cultivé, Ail de Naples, Ail blanc, Ail dressé, Poireau, Ail poireau
De: Perlzwiebel, Porree, Acker-Knoblauch, Sommer-Knoblauch
He: שום גבוה
Hu: Francia hagyma
It: Porraccio
Nb: Villpurre
Nn: Villpurre
Pt: Alho-bravo, Alho-ordinário
Es: Ajoporro silvestre, Cebolla silvestre, Puerro silvestre
Sv: Vild purjolök
Cy: Cenhinan Wyllt, Cenhinen Wyllt, Cennin Gwyllt, Garlleg Mawr Pengrwn

Synonyms

• Allium ascendens (Ten.)
• Allium byzantinum (K.Koch)
• Allium porrum var. breve (Alef.)
• Allium leucanthum (K.Koch)
• Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum ((L.) J.Gay)
• Porrum commune (Rchb.)
• Allium spectabile (De Not.)
• Allium porrum subsp. euampeloprasum (Breistr.)
• Allium ampeloprasum var. bertolonii ((De Not.) Nyman)
• Allium babingtonii (Borrer)
• Porrum amethystinum (Rchb.)
• Allium albescens (Guss.)
• Allium ampeloprasum subsp. euampeloprasum (Hayek)
• Allium ampeloprasum f. holmense ((Asch. & Graebn.) Holmboe)
• Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii ((Borrer) Syme)
• Allium ampeloprasum var. typicum (Regel)
• Allium syriacum (Boiss.)
• Allium porrum var. ampeloprasum ((L.) Mirb.)
• Allium ampeloprasum var. leucanthum ((K.Koch) Ledeb.)
• Allium ampeloprasum subsp. genuinum (Cout.)
• Allium ampeloprasum var. caudatum (Pamp.)
• Allium ampeloprasum var. bulgaricum (Podp.)
• Allium ampeloprasum subsp. polyanthum ((Schult. & Schult.f.) O.Bolòs, Vigo, Masalles & Ninot)
• Allium ampeloprasum subsp. leucanthum ((K.Koch) K.Richt.)
• Allium halleri (G.Don)
• Allium ampeloprasum subsp. halleri (Nyman)
• Allium thessalum (Boiss.)
• Allium kurrat (Schweinf. ex K.Krause)
• Allium bertolonii (De Not.)
• Allium ampeloprasum var. holmense (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Allium ampeloprasum var. bulbiferum (Syme)
• Allium ampeloprasum var. gasparrinii ((Guss.) Nyman)
• Allium laetum var. tonsile (Gray)
• Allium scorodoprasum subsp. babingtonii ((Borrer) Nyman)
• Allium duriaeanum (Regel)
• Allium holmense (Mill. ex Kunth)
• Allium porrum var. kurrat ((Schweinf. ex K.Krause) Seregin)
• Porrum ampeloprasum ((L.) Mill.)
• Allium adscendens (Kunth)
• Allium rotundum var. polyanthum ((Schult. & Schult.f.) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Allium leucanthum var. tridentatum (Ogan.)
• Allium durieuanum (Walp.)
• Allium porrum var. viviparum (Alef.)
• Allium polyanthum (Schult. & Schult.f.)
• Allium ampeloprasum subsp. porrum ((L.) Hayek)
• Allium gasparrinii (Guss.)
• Allium ampeloprasum f. normale (Maire & Weiller)
• Allium pylium (De Not.)
• Allium ampeloprasum var. wiedemannii (Regel)
• Allium rotundum var. multiflorum (Nyman)
• Allium ampeloprasum var. pylium ((De Not.) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Allium ampeloprasum subsp. thessalum ((Boiss.) Nyman)
• Allium porrum subsp. polyanthum ((Schult. & Schult.f.) Jauzein & J.-M.Tison)
• Allium scopulicola (Font Quer)
• Allium porrum var. latum (Alef.)
• Allium ampeloprasum var. gracile (Cavara)
• Allium firmotunicatum var. album (Grossh.)
• Allium porraceum (Gray)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 10, 2018 by Antonio Ruiz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2020 by anne favry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2017 by Olivier Devillard (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 1, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2022 by Hamid LATEB (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 17, 2021 by Evangelos Tzafestas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 14, 2021 by Montero Escribano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2019 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2020 by sendero (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 29, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2020 by rafik alikacem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 19, 2022 by C Ben (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2020 by Bartol Pavušek (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2021 by Landschaftsgärtner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 17, 2021 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Marie-Paule Beaune (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2021 by Ata Bilgili (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2022 by C Ben (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Inna2208 Inna2208 (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2856037)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:332079-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Allium ampeloprasum L.)

Specifications

Growth