Allium is the onion genus, with about 1250 species, usually classified in its own family Alliaceae. Some botanists used to classify it in the lily family (Liliaceae).

They are perennial bulbous plants. They occur in temperate climates of the northern hemisphere, except for a few species occurring in Chile (as Allium juncifolium), Brazil (Allium sellovianum) or tropical Africa (Allium spathaceum). They can vary in height between 5 cm and 150 cm. The flowers form an umbel at the top of a leafless stalk. The bulbs vary in size between species, from very small (around 2–3 mm in diameter) to rather big (8–10 cm). Some species (such as Welsh onion, A. fistulosum) develop thickened leaf-bases rather than forming bulbs as such.

Most bulbous alliums increase by forming little bulbs or "offsets" around the old one, as well as by seed. Several species can form many bulbils (tiny bulbs) in the flowerhead; in the so-called "tree onion" (A. cepa Proliferum Group) the bulbils are few, but large enough to be used for pickling.

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Eating at Allium in Great Barrington. Starting with cod fritters and a cheese plate cool
AmyFox69 (Amy Fox) Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:19:46 -0000
Eating at Allium in Great Barrington. Starting with cod fritters and a cheese plate cool
Several studies showed a decreased risk of gastric #cancer with an increasing consumption of allium vegetables http://is.gd/4VEJU
helenfong (Helen Fong) Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:34:42 -0000
Several studies showed a decreased risk of gastric #cancer with an increasing consumption of allium vegetables http://is.gd/4VEJU
Having dinner at allium...pretty nice spot
One906 (Seyi) Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:46:19 -0000
Having dinner at allium...pretty nice spot
@neddda Yeah it does. Its called allium sativum and its pretty good at preventing and fighting colds, from what the experts say...
_Zwitterion (Halbwertszeit) Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:30:22 -0000
@neddda Yeah it does. Its called allium sativum and its pretty good at preventing and fighting colds, from what the experts say...
RT @erinbriordan: Is it too late for me to put my Allium bulbs in the ground?
RayBeckerman (RayBeckerman) Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:21:33 -0000
RT @erinbriordan: Is it too late for me to put my Allium bulbs in the ground?
Is it too late for me to put my Allium bulbs in the ground?
erinbriordan (Erin Riordan) Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:06:37 -0000
Is it too late for me to put my Allium bulbs in the ground?

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