Pollinator plant

Garlic chives

Allium tuberosum

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Common names

44 names · 23 languages
EnglishYour language
Other languages (22)
Dutch
  • Chinese bieslook[2][3]
  • Knoflookbieslook
French
  • Ciboule de Chine[2][3]
  • Ciboulette de Chine
Bunun
Chinese (Simplified)
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • česnek hlíznatý[3]
Estonian
Finnish
  • kiinansipuli[3]
German
  • Knoblauch-Schnittlauch[2][3]
Hebrew
  • עירית שומית[3]
  • שומית[3]
Hungarian
  • Kínai Metélőhagyma[3]
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Palauan
Polish
  • Czosnek bulwiasty[3]
Portuguese
+7 more namesShow fewer names
Russian
  • Лук ветвистый[3]
  • Лук клубневой[3]
Slovak
  • cesnak hľuznatý[3]
Swedish
  • kinesisk gräslök[3]
Thai
  • กุยช่าย[3]
Ukrainian
  • Цибуля китайська[3]
Sources & name notes (3)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Allium tuberosum — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Garlic Chives — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Allium tuberosum.
  • Wild Leek — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Allium tuberosum.
[2] Allium tuberosum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Garlic Chives — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Chinese bieslook — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Knoblauch-Schnittlauch — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Chinese Chives — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Ciboule de Chine — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • aglio tuberoso — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Alho-chinês — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Alho-japonês — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Alho-nirá — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Cebola-nirá — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Cebolinha-alho — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Cebolinha-chinesa — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Cebolinha-nirá — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Cebolinho-chinês — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Lira — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Nirá — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
[3] Allium tuberosum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Garlic Chives — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Chinese bieslook — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Knoblauch-Schnittlauch — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Chinese Chives — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Ciboule de Chine — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • aglio tuberoso — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Alho-chinês — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Alho-japonês — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Alho-nirá — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Cebola-nirá — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Cebolinha-alho — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Cebolinha-chinesa — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Cebolinha-nirá — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Cebolinho-chinês — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Lira — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Nirá — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Лук клубневой — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • 韭 — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • 韭 — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • ニラ — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • mugullauk — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • česnek hlíznatý — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • kinesisk gräslök — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Лук ветвистый — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • 부추 — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • tangavaz — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • 韭菜 — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Nira — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • กุยช่าย — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • 韭菜 — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Цибуля китайська — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • שומית — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • עירית שומית — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Czosnek bulwiasty — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • Kínai Metélőhagyma — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • kiinansipuli — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • cesnak hľuznatý — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • 韮菜 — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • 韭黄 — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • 정구지 — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
  • 솔 — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 122343; Allium tuberosum.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Botanical family
Amaryllidaceae

The complete-name usages checked in Catalogue of Life agree on this family; authorship and accepted-name identity remain unresolved.

Sources [1]
Taxonomy
NC State Extension publishes a profile under Allium tuberosum.

Profile-name match; no accepted-name status is asserted.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.3–0.3 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Clumping; Erect; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
High Organic Matter

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: pollinators.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Native range
Himalaya to China (SW. Shanxi).

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Unknown

Solitary wild bees

High suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Unknown
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous, Vegetable
Size
Small
Dimensions
0.30 m high × 0.30 m wide
Lifecycle
Perennial

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
4-8
Moisture
Well-drained, Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Flowers, Root, Oil
Functions
Oil, Repellent
Edibility
5 out of 5
Medicinal value
2 out of 5

Leaves - They can be eaten raw or cooked and have a mild flavor reminiscent of a mix of garlic and chives. They are tasty in salads, but the flavor diminishes with prolonged cooking. The leaves are available from early spring to late autumn. They contain about 2.6% protein, 0.6% fat, 2.4% carbohydrates, and 0.95% ash, as well as some vitamin A, B1, and C. The small bulbs, approximately 10 mm in diameter, grow in clusters on a short rhizome. Flowers and flower buds - can be eaten both raw and cooked and make a delicious garnish for autumn salads. Root - is edible and can be consumed both raw and cooked. Edible oil is also extracted from the seeds.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Allium tuberosum — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP). This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1939991; ID 65X99; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Allium tuberosum — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: TaxonomyMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Main botanical heading (h1)
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Allium tuberosum — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 1172491; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 416385, 416390, 416392, 416393

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.