Species of Allium This article is about a plant with the Japanese name rakkyō. For the film series, see Kara no Kyōkai.
Chinese onion
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Clade:
Tracheophytes
Clade:
Angiosperms
Clade:
Monocots
Order:
Asparagales
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily:
Allioideae
Genus:
Allium
Subgenus:
A. subg. Cepa
Species:
A. chinense
Binomial name
Allium chinenseG.Don.[2]
Synonyms[2]
Synonymy
Allium bakeri Regel
Allium bodinieri H.Lév. & Vaniot
Allium exsertum Baker 1874, illegitimate homonym not G. Don 1827
Allium martini H.Lév. & Vaniot
Allium splendens Miq. 1867, illegitimate homonym not Willd. 1830
Caloscordum exsertum Herb.
Allium chinense (also known as Chinese onion,[3][4] Chinese scallion,[3] glittering chive,[5] Japanese scallion,[3] Kiangsi scallion,[4] and Oriental onion[3]) is an edible species of Allium, native to China,[3] and cultivated in many other countries.[6] Its close relatives include the onion, scallion, leek, chive, and garlic.[7]
Distribution
[edit]Flowers of Allium chinense
Allium chinense is native to China (in Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang provinces).[3] It is naturalized in other parts of Asia as well as in North America.[3][8][9]
Uses
[edit]
Culinary
[edit]Sold at a market in Shenzhen (left)
Owing to its very mild and "fresh" taste, A. chinense is often pickled and served as a side dish in Japan and Vietnam to balance the stronger flavor of some other component in a meal. For example, in Japanese cuisine, it is eaten as a garnish on Japanese curry.[10]
In Vietnam, pickled A. chinense, known as củ kiệu, is often served during Tết (Lunar New Year).[citation needed]
In Japanese, it is known as rakkyō (辣韮 or 薤). Glass bottles of white rakkyō bulb pickles are sold in Asian supermarkets in North America.[11]
Medicinal
[edit]
Allium chinense is used as a folk medicine in tonics to help the intestines, and as a stomachic.[12]
See also
[edit]
Allium tuberosum, also known as garlic chives – Species of onion native to southwestern parts of the Chinese province of Shanxi
Pickled onion – Onions pickled in a solution of vinegar or salt
References
[edit]
^Brummitt, N. (2013). "Allium chinense". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013 e.T44392537A44396666. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T44392537A44396666.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
^ ab"Allium chinense". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
^ abcdefg"Allium chinense". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
^ abMultilingual Multiscript Plant Name Database: Allium. University of Melbourne. Updated 3 August 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
^English Names for Korean Native Plants(PDF). Pocheon: Korea National Arboretum. 2015. p. 347. ISBN 978-89-97450-98-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2016 – via Korea Forest Service.
^"Allium chinense in Flora of China @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
^Block, E. (2010). Garlic and Other Alliums: The Lore and the Science. Royal Society of Chemistry. ISBN 978-0-85404-190-9.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Allium chinense. 
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Allium chinense. 
