Allium porrum

Allium porrum, commonly known as leek, is a versatile perennial plant prized for its culinary and medicinal properties. Belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, it is rich in antioxidants and sulfur compounds. Traditionally used to support digestion and respiratory health, this nutritious vegetable offers significant wellness benefits through regular consumption.

  • Scientific name: Allium porrum
  • Family: Amaryllidaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Allium porrum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Asparagales. Finally, it is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family and falls under the genus Allium.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asparagales WCVP
Family Amaryllidaceae WCVP
Genus Allium WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is well-documented in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward the center of the continent, it can be found growing throughout Germany in Middle Europe. Its range extends further south into Southwestern Europe, where it is commonly located in France. Finally, the distribution continues into the Mediterranean climate of Spain within the same southwestern region.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Ireland WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Southwestern Europe France WCVP
Southwestern Europe Spain WCVP
Southeastern Europe Greece WCVP
Southeastern Europe Italy WCVP
Eastern Europe Belarus WCVP
Eastern Europe Baltic States WCVP
Eastern Europe Central European Russia WCVP

Chemicals

Allium porrum has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include vitamin C, H2O, Kaempferol-3-beta-D-glucoside, L-ascorbic acid, ascorbate.

Total chemicals
10
Scientific sources
11

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
vitamin C 2 ★☆☆☆☆
H2O 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Kaempferol-3-beta-D-glucoside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
L-ascorbic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ascorbate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
glucose 1 ★☆☆☆☆
quercetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
quercetin-3-glucoside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
xylose 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Allium porrum has 3 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic.

Total activities
3
Scientific sources
5

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Allium porrum has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antibiotic resistance, cancers, diuretic, hospital infections, iron overload.

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
antibiotic resistance 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancers 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diuretic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hospital infections 1 ★☆☆☆☆
iron overload 1 ★☆☆☆☆
thalassemia 1 ★☆☆☆☆