Family: Amaryllidaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:301. 1753
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Allium
Vegetable: True
Observations: a cultigen from China
Description
The Welsh onion, scientifically known as Allium fistulosum, is a fascinating and versatile member of the Amaryllidaceae family. Although it bears a common name that might suggest otherwise, this plant is not native to Wales but has its origins deeply rooted in China, where it has been cultivated for centuries.
Allium fistulosum is an intriguing species with a unique botanical profile. Its specific name “fistulosum” is derived from the Latin word “fistula,” meaning “hollow tube,” an allusion to the plant’s hollow, tubular leaves and stems. The Welsh onion should not be confused with typical bulbous onions (Allium cepa), as it does not develop a true bulb; instead, it forms clusters of slender, upright stalks.
From a botanical perspective, the Welsh onion was first described in Carl Linnaeus’s seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, underlining its long-standing recognition in the scientific community. Linnaeus’s notation in “Sp. pl. 1:301. 1753” confirms its early categorization and continued relevance in botanical studies.
In culinary applications, the Welsh onion is valued for its mild flavor, which is less pungent than that of regular onions. It is often used similarly to scallions or green onions, lending freshness and a gentle onion aroma to dishes. The entire plant is edible, including its green tops, which are particularly favored in various Asian cuisines for garnishing soups, salads, and stir-fries.
Culturally, the Welsh onion holds significant status in East Asian cooking and traditional practices. In China, it is a staple ingredient, revered not only for its culinary uses but also for its medicinal properties. Traditional Chinese medicine employs Allium fistulosum for its purported health benefits, which include enhancing digestion and boosting the immune system.
Growing Welsh onions requires minimal effort, which makes them an excellent addition to home gardens. They are perennial plants, meaning they can survive and continue to grow for multiple years, providing a continuous supply of fresh greens. They thrive in a range of climates but prefer well-drained soil and a sunny location.
Overall, the Welsh onion is more than just an aromatic plant; it is a testament to botanical history and cultural significance, offering a blend of culinary delights and traditional medicinal uses. Its enduring presence in gardens and kitchens around the world highlights its versatility and the rich history embedded in its growth from a humble cultigen in China to a globally appreciated plant.
Common Names
Dan: almindelig røllike, nyse-røllike, pibe-løg
Fra: ciboule, oignon d’hiver, ail fistuleux
Deu: heckenzwiebel, röhren-zwiebel, röhrenzwiebel, schnittzwiebel, winterzwiebel
Eng: japanese bunching onion, welsh onion, bunching onion
Swe: kamröllika, nysört, röllika, pipeløk, piplök, ängsröllika
Nor: nyseryllik, ryllik
Fin: ojakärsämö, siankärsämö, pipeløk
Isl: silfurhnappur
Por: cebola-verde, cebolinha, cebolinha-verde
Spa: cebolleta
Ces: cibule zimní
Ita: cipoletta, cipolla d’inverno
Nno: pipelauk
Nob: pipeløk
Nld: grof bieslook
Cym: nionod cymreig, nionyn cymreig
En: Welsh onion, Bunching onion, Japanese bunching onion, Kenaw, Welsh’s Onion, Japanese Bunchingonion, Scallion, Spring Onion
Af: Walliese ui
Eu: Tipuleta
Be: Цыбуля-батун
Br: Sivolez
Ca: Ceba d’hivern
Zh: Cong, 葱, 蔥, 長喙韭
Hr: Zimski luk
Cs: Cibule zimní
Da: Almindelig Røllike, Nyse-Røllike, Pibe-løg
Nl: Grof bieslook
Eo: Vintra cepo
Et: Talisibul
Fi: Pillisipuli, Ojakärsämö, Siankärsämö, Pipeløk
Fr: Ail fistuleux, Ciboule, La Cipolla, Oignon d’hiver, Ciboulette, Grande Cive
Ka: Ჭლაკვი
De: Winterzwiebel, Schnittzwiebel, Heckenzwiebel, Röhren-Zwiebel, Röhrenzwiebel, Winter-Zwiebel
He: בצל ולשי
Is: Silfurhnappur
Io: Cibolo
Id: Bawang daun
It: Cipoletta, Cipolla d’inverno, La Cipolla d’Inverno
Ja: Negi
Jv: Bawang godhong
Kk: Батун
Ko: Ba, 파
Ln: Ndɛmbi
Lb: Fréijoersënn
No: Pipeløk, Pipelauk, Nyseryllik, Ryllik
Nb: Pipeløk
Nn: Pipelauk
Oc: Cebola
Fa: ترهفرنگی
Pl: Czosnek dęty
Pt: Cebola-verde, Cebolinha, Cebolinha-verde
Ro: Ceapă de tuns
Ru: Luk batun, Luk dudčatyj, Лук-батун
Sr: Аљма
Es: Cebolleta, Cebolla china
Su: Bawang daun
Sv: Piplök, Kamröllika, Nysört, Röllika, Pipeløk, Ängsröllika
Zh-tw: 蔥
Te: ఉల్లి కాడలు
Bo: ཙོང་།
Tr: Kış soğanı
Uk: Батун
Uz: Batun piyozi
Vi: Hành
Cy: Nionyn Cymreig, Nionod Cymreig
Za: Coeng
Synonyms
- Cepa fissilis (Garsault)
- Allium cepa subsp. fistulosum ((L.) Douin)
- Cepa ventricosa (Moench)
- Kepa fistulosa ((L.) Raf.)
- Phyllodolon fistulosum ((L.) Salisb.)
- Cepa fistulosa ((L.) Gray)
- Allium bouddae (Debeaux)
- Porrum fistulosum ((L.) Schur)
- Allium fistulosum var. giganteum (Makino)
- Allium fistulosum var. caespitosum (Makino)
- Allium kashgaricum (Prokh.)
Distribution
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- Alaska (introduced)
- Bulgaria (introduced)
- Cambodia (introduced)
- Central European Rus (introduced)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- East European Russia (introduced)
- France (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Kazakhstan (introduced)
- Korea (introduced)
- Kriti (introduced)
- Magadan (introduced)
- Northwest Territorie (introduced)
- Norway (introduced)
- Seychelles (introduced)
- Solomon Is. (introduced)
- South European Russi (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
Additional Images
© 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.
Flower
Taken Jun 7, 2019 by Sh4rp (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 7, 2017 by ledum (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 13, 2021 by Santiago Bernhardt (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 3, 2020 by Catalin Gruia (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 12, 2020 by André Hyvrier (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Dalgial (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 6, 2009 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 15, 2021 by ℭ𝔩𝔞𝔯𝔦𝔰𝔰𝔢 (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2022 by Erik VIGNE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 6, 2021 by Sylvie Sylvie Lenoir (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jun 9, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 19, 2021 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 21, 2020 by jaydip Salunke (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 6, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2020 by Sienna Baek (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Feb 15, 2022 by Maria Dias Santos (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 28, 2021 by Christovan Queiroz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 13, 2021 by Gonçalves André (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 30, 2022 by Gustavo Constantin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 18, 2021 by Jacinthe St-Gelais (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken May 2, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 2, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 24, 2022 by KP Laer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 12, 2021 by mediocritas (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken May 10, 2020 by clement vanderlynden (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 7, 2017 by Janina Janina (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2856504)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:528046-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Allium fistulosum L.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb
Growth
Sowing: Sow in average soil in full sun after danger of frost in spring. In frost-free areas, sow in fall. Sow thinly 30cm apart and cover with 1cm of fine soil. Firm lightly and keep evenly moist. Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days.
Row spacing: {‘cm’: 30}
Spread: {‘cm’: 8}
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 9
Atmospheric humidity: 4
Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]
Soil nutriments: 8
