Welsh onion

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Welsh onion
• Japanese bunching onion
• Welsh onion
• bunching onion

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cepa ventricosa
• Allium cepa subsp. fistulosum
• Allium fistulosum var. caespitosum
• Allium fistulosum var. giganteum
• Cepa fistulosa
• Allium kashgaricum
• Allium bouddae
• Kepa fistulosa
• Porrum fistulosum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Asparagales and the family Amaryllidaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Allium, specifically as the species Allium fistulosum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented in Norway. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is found within the territories of Germany as well as the Czechia-Slovakia region. Its range extends further into Southwestern Europe, where it grows in France. Finally, the geographical spread of this medicinal plant reaches as far as Spain.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Allium fistulosum is characterized by its ability to thrive within specific altitudinal gradients, typically occupying montane environments. It is most commonly found distributed across an elevational range that begins at 1600 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2700 m AMSL. This preference for mid-to-high altitude habitats suggests an adaptation to the specific temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture availability characteristic of these elevations. Within this ecological niche, the plant's survival and distribution are closely tied to the varying environmental conditions encountered between its minimum and maximum altitudinal limits.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Allium fistulosum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a member of the cryptophyte group, it employs specialized survival strategies to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. Specifically, its life form is identified as a geophyte, meaning it relies on underground storage organs to survive dormancy periods. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen nature, preserving its physiological vitality across seasons.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Allium fistulosum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. As a terrestrial plant, it grows independently without being an epiphyte or a parasite. The species is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, it maintains a relatively low profile with a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.525 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.525 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Allium fistulosum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic efficiency and carbon assimilation processes, particularly in temperate climates where it optimizes light and water usage through direct CO2 fixation. In terms of nutrient acquisition, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to support protein synthesis and vegetative growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Allium fistulosum is driven by biotic processes, characterized by a pollination syndrome that relies heavily on insects. Specifically, the plant utilizes bees as a primary pollinator to facilitate its reproductive cycle. The flowering period typically begins in June and continues through August. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a mean mass of approximately 0.00225 g.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.00225 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Allium fistulosum has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alliospiroside A, Antheraxanthin, Carotenoid, Flavonoid, Flavonoids.

Alliospiroside A

1. PloS one

Antheraxanthin

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Carotenoid

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Flavonoid

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Flavonoids

1. PeerJ

Lutein

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Tannins

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Violaxanthin

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Zeaxanthin

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

ferulic acid

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Activities

Allium fistulosum has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative.

Antibacterial

1. Zhonghua Minguo wei sheng wu ji mian yi xue za zhi = Chinese journal of microbiology and immunology

Anticancer

1. PeerJ

Antioxidant

1. PeerJ

Antiproliferative

1. PeerJ

Medicinal Uses

Allium fistulosum has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Diarrhea, abdominal pain, cancer, diabetic complications, headache.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations