Allium cernuum
(images that appear without references are click able links)
Allium cernuum var. cernuum, also known by the common name of Nodding Onion, is a native species to British Columbia and can be found south of 56 degrees latitude. Its known range extends east to Ontario. Its range also encompasses a large portion of the continental United States, including New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, Wyoming, Utah, Indiana, and Oregon.
Range of Nodding Onion in BC
Nodding onion, true to its name, has an “onion-like” odor and can often be found growing in clusters. It can be identified by its a long narrowing stem (10-50 cm) that grows from a bulb. The bulb is usually oblong or egg-shaped and is covered in scales. The inner scales often have a slight pink tinge.
The leaves are flat but may have a mid rib and usually have a smooth texture. They are shorter than the stem and are usually around 3 mm across at the widest point.Growing only from the base of the plant, the leaves normally bend down away from the stem at maturity.
Allium cernuumhas a simple nodding umbel can contain just a few radial flowers but an umbel containing many flowers is more common. The flowers can range in colour from white to pink to pale purple. The individual flowers have 6 distinct elliptic tepals that are usually 4-6 mm long. The 6 stamens extend beyond the corolla and are visible to the naked eye. The superior carpel has six lobes. But the amount of fusion seen in the carpel is variable; therefore the lobes are not always apparent.
The fruit produced by nodding onion is an egg shaped capsule, usually showing 3 lobes, with 6 crests (2 lobes apiece). The capsule usually contains 6 or fewer seeds that are a dull black.
Nodding onion has a mild medicinal activity similar to the action of garlic (Allium sativum). Used as a poultice, it can be placed on the chest to treat respiratory ailments. If placed in other locations it can be used to treat sore throats, sores, swellings, chest and pleurisy pains. The juice of the bulb can also be used to treat kidney stones, sore throat, croup, and the common cold. The juice can also be used as an insect/mole repellent.
Allium cernuum is part of the Liliaceae family. This family has a worldwide distribution with approximately 280 genera and 4000 species. Liliaceae's habitat can range from desert to humid tropics. This family is currently under review, as some organizations would like to see the family split into many families. This is because of the wide variety of shapes and functions amongst the family members. In some texts, this family is divided into (up to) 20 families. Phylogenetically, Liliaceae is grouped with other monocot families.
Features of Liliaceae.
(from Vascular Plant Taxonomy)
A. Inflorescence of Calochortus with radial flowers and immature capsules.
B-C. Agapanthus africanus.
B. Habit with scapose umbel.
C. Weakly bilateral flower.
D. Stem of Trillium sp. (Trilliaceae) with whorled, net-veined leaves and terminal flower.
E. Capsule of Zygadenus (Melanthiaceae).
F. Habit and inflorescence of Agave sp. (Agavaceae).
G. Fibrous leaf of Yucca sp. (Agavaceae).
H. Rosette of succulent leaves of Aloe sp. (Aloaceae).
I. Leaf of Aloe.
J. Floral diagram of Lilium (Liliaceae).
K. Generalized floral formula for flower with superior ovary.
L. Generalized floral formula for flower with inferior ovary.
The majority of the members of the Liliaceae family are herbs, with petals and sepals being similar in both texture and colour. Six stamens are usual, with a 3 lobed carpel. The extent of fusion seen in the carpel is highly variable, therefore the lobes on the carpel might not be readily apparent. Species in this family can have either superior or inferior ovaries.
In Liliaceae there are many useful species, such as onion, leeks, asparagus, shallot, garlic, and chives (all Allium spp), which are used as a food sources. The bulbs of camas lily were traditionally eaten by native tribes of the Pacific Northwest. Other species, such as garlic, colchicine, aloe, and red squill, are used medicinally. But the vast majority of species are ornamental, such as day lily, tulip, and solomon's seal.
Some members of the family can be poisonous, such as stagger grass (Amianthemum), lily of the valley (Convallaria), star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), and death camas (Zygadenus). Dogs seem to be especially susceptible to the poisonous species in Liliaceae.
References
