Back to main Search Page

Allium cepa ascalonicum - Invalid name

Shallot

Author	Invalid name	Botanical references
Family	Alliaceae	Genus	Allium
Synonyms	Allium ascalonicum - Auct. non L.
Known Hazards	There have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of this plant. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible[76].
Range	Original habitat is obscure.
Habitat	Not known in the wild.
Edibility Rating	5 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	3 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Bulb growing to 0.3m.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Cultivars: (as above except)
'Bavarian Brown'
'Dutch Yellow'
'Giant Red'
'Tohono O'odham I'Itoi's'

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers; Leaves; Root.

Bulb - raw or cooked. A mild onion flavour, the bulbs can be up to 6cm in diameter. They can be added to salads etc, cooked as a vegetable or used as a flavouring in soups etc[1, 2, 16, 37]. Leaves - raw or cooked. A pleasant onion flavour, though they should not be harvested in quantity since this would reduce production of the bulbs[K]. Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads. The flowers are somewhat dry and are less pleasant than many other species[K].

Composition

Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.

Root (Fresh weight)

• 72 Calories per 100g
• Water: 79.8%
• Protein: 2.5g; Fat: 0.1g; Carbohydrate: 16.8g; Fibre: 0.7g; Ash: 0.8g;
• Minerals - Calcium: 37mg; Phosphorus: 60mg; Iron: 1.2mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 12mg; Potassium: 334mg; Zinc: 0mg;
• Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.06mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0.02mg; Niacin: 0.2mg; B6: 0mg; C: 8mg;
• Reference: [218]
• Notes: 

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Alterative; Anthelmintic; Antiinflammatory; Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Astringent; Carminative; Diuretic; Expectorant; Febrifuge; Hypoglycaemic; Hypotensive; Lithontripic; Nutritive; Skin; Stings; Stomachic; Tonic; Vulnerary.

Although rarely used specifically as a medicinal herb, the onion has a wide range of beneficial actions on the body and when eaten (especially raw) on a regular basis will promote the general health of the body. The bulb is anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, hypotensive, lithontripic, stomachic and tonic[4, 7, 21]. When used regularly in the diet it offsets tendencies towards angina, arteriosclerosis and heart attack[254]. It is also useful in preventing oral infection and tooth decay[254]. Baked onions can be used as a poultice to remove pus from sores[254]. Fresh onion juice is a very useful first aid treatment for bee and wasp stings, bites, grazes or fungal skin complaints[7, 201]. When warmed the juice can be dropped into the ear to treat earache[254]. It also aids the formation of scar tissue on wounds, thus speeding up the healing process, and has been used as a cosmetic to remove freckles[7].

Other Uses

Cosmetic; Dye; Hair; Polish; Repellent; Rust.

The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent and can also be rubbed onto the skin to repel insects[7]. The plant juice can be used as a rust preventative on metals and as a polish for copper and glass[7]. A yellow-brown dye is obtained from the skins of the bulbs[141, 168]. Onion juice rubbed into the skin is said to promote the growth of hair and to be a remedy for baldness[7]. It is also used as a cosmetic to get rid of freckles[7]. The growing plant is said to repel insects and moles[201]. A spray made by pouring enough boiling water to cover 1kg of chopped unpeeled onions is said to increase the resistance of other plants to diseases and parasites[201].

Cultivation details

Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil but tolerates most soils.[1, 200]. Does not grow well on heavy clays[200]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7[200]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.5 to 8.3. We are using the name A. cepa ascalonicum for this plant in order to differentiate it from the potato onion, A. cepa aggregatum, though it should really be included in A. cepa aggregatum[K]. This is a genuinely perennial form of A. cepa that is widely grown in temperate and tropical areas for its edible bulbs[200]. These are milder but smaller than the onion. There are several named forms[200]. The plant is easier to grow than onions, matures faster and keeps better[200], though yields are lower. Plants are very tolerant of high temperatures up to 30°c and bulbing only occurs at temperatures above 20°c[200]. Plants rarely produce viable seed in temperate areas, they are usually propagated by means of their bulbs, each one dividing up in the growing season to produce from 2 to more than 12 new bulbs[200]. Bulbs can become infected with virus, it is important to only plant clean stock[200]. Closely related to A. oschanini. O.Fedsch., a wild species found in C. Asia. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes[18, 20, 54]. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other[201]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

Propagation

Plant out bulbs in late winter or very early spring. Plant firmly to half the bulbs depth and protect from birds until the bulbs have rooted[200]. (Birds seem to have a fascination for pulling the bulbs out of the ground and then leaving them lying on the surface[K].) Traditionally, bulbs were planted on the shortest day and harvested on the longest. Smaller bulbs are less likely to bolt as a result of exposure to cold conditions[200].

Cultivars

'Bavarian Brown'

The bulbs average 4cm in diameter and can be up to 6cm when well grown[183]. They are mildly pungent, flavourful and have a yellow flesh[183]. Excellent keeping qualities[183].

'Dutch Yellow'

The bulbs average 4cm in diameter, 5cm when well grown, they have a yellow to cream coloured flesh and keep very well[183]. A high yielding cultivar, each bulb growing into a cluster of 8 - 12 shallots[183]. Widely adapted to different climate zones, but is best planted in the spring in areas with cold winters[183].

'French Red'

A pale purple-pink flesh with a mild, distinctive flavour[183]. A prolific cultivar, each bulb producing a cluster of up to 30 bulbs[183]. Widely adapted to various climatic zones, but it does not store as well as other cultivars[183].

'Giant Red'

The bulbs have a mild, spicy flavour and are excellent raw in salads[183]. They store well and rarely if ever bolt[183]. A highly productive cultivar, each bulb producing a cluster of 10 - 20 bulbs[183]. It starts to sprout earlier than the yellow forms[183].

'Grey'

A large, elongated bulb about 10cm long with a purple-white flesh and a strong, distinctive flavour[183]. A prolific cultivar, each bulb forming a cluster of about 20 bulbs, though they do not store well[183]. In France the grey shallots are considered to be the best of all shallots and bring premium prices[183].

'Tohono O'odham I'Itoi's'

This cultivar has a strong, distinct flavour and produces offshoot scallions for most of the year, even when other onions go dormant[183]. Adapted to both high and low desert areas[183].

Links

This plant is also mentioned in the following PFAF articles: Allium Species - the Perennial Onions.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[16] Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0
A good guide to growing vegetables in temperate areas, not entirely organic.

[18] Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979
Details of beneficial and antagonistic relationships between neighbouring plants.

[20] Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978 ISBN 0-88266-064-0
Fairly good.

[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.

[37] Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878
Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.

[54] Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977 ISBN 0-584-10141-4
Interesting reading.

[76] Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984 ISBN 0112425291
Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock.

[141] Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading 1986 ISBN 0704909820
Some suggested alternative commercial crops for Britain. Readable. Produced by a University study group.

[168] Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
A very good and readable book on dyeing.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
A well produced and very readable book.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Allium cepa ascalonicum

raka Sat Jul 5 2008

haii.. im raka... collegian at Gadjah mada university, jogjakarta , Indonesia.. i'll ask you.... what is difference beween Allium cepa var ascalonicum and allium ascalonicum??.. and what is the meaning of ascalonicum.. thanks

Add a comment/link:

Discussion Monitor

To have posts to this page mailed to you enter your email address here:

(Your email address will not appear on the webpage or be passed on to third parties).