SafePlants

Allium schoenoprasum: Wild Chives

Allium schoenoprasum, commonly known as wild chives, chives, or flowering onion, is a perennial plant with a mild onion-like flavor and aroma.

Considerations for Pets

• The text indicates that wild chives smell garlicky when pulled out, which may be interesting for pets.

Considerations for Children

• The text mentions that wild chives are considered easy to identify, even for children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Allium schoenoprasum
• Common Names: Chives, Wild Chives, Flowering Onion
• Family: Alliaceae (Lily family), formerly Liliaceae
• Genus: Allium
• Synonyms: The text mentions the Korean drama "Wild Chives and Soy Bean Soup: 12 Years Reunion" and its various translations and alternative titles which may be used synonymously.

Distribution and Habitat

• Wild chives are native to North America.
• They are also found growing across the Lizard in Cornwall, often flowering from May.
• The text mentions they have escaped from cultivation, making it difficult to separate native populations from escaped ones.

Morphological Characteristics

• Perennial, onion-smelling plant.
• The stem is typically 20-50 cm tall, rather stout, and round.
• Grows from bulbs up to 10 mm thick.
• Flowers are pale pinkish-purple, -inch in size with 6 erect petals having a dark stripe down the flower.

Ecological Role

• Wild chives are cultivated in herb beds.
• They are also used on green roofs.