Broadleaf wild leek
Allium ampeloprasum
Synonyms: Allium ascendens, Allium byzantinum, Allium porrum var. breve, Allium leucanthum, Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum, Porrum commune, Allium spectabile, Allium porrum subsp. euampeloprasum, Allium ampeloprasum var. bertolonii, Allium babingtonii, Porrum amethystinum, Allium albescens, Allium ampeloprasum subsp. euampeloprasum, Allium ampeloprasum f. holmense, Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii, Allium ampeloprasum var. typicum, Allium syriacum, Allium porrum var. ampeloprasum, Allium ampeloprasum var. leucanthum, Allium ampeloprasum subsp. genuinum, Allium ampeloprasum var. caudatum, Allium ampeloprasum var. bulgaricum, Allium ampeloprasum subsp. polyanthum, Allium ampeloprasum subsp. leucanthum, Allium halleri, Allium ampeloprasum subsp. halleri, Allium thessalum, Allium kurrat, Allium bertolonii, Allium ampeloprasum var. holmense, Allium ampeloprasum var. bulbiferum, Allium ampeloprasum var. gasparrinii, Allium laetum var. tonsile, Allium scorodoprasum subsp. babingtonii, Allium duriaeanum, Allium holmense, Allium porrum var. kurrat, Porrum ampeloprasum, Allium adscendens, Allium rotundum var. polyanthum, Allium leucanthum var. tridentatum, Allium durieuanum, Allium porrum var. viviparum, Allium polyanthum, Allium ampeloprasum subsp. porrum, Allium gasparrinii, Allium ampeloprasum f. normale, Allium pylium, Allium ampeloprasum var. wiedemannii, Allium rotundum var. multiflorum, Allium ampeloprasum var. pylium, Allium ampeloprasum subsp. thessalum, Allium porrum subsp. polyanthum, Allium scopulicola, Allium porrum var. latum, Allium ampeloprasum var. gracile, Allium firmotunicatum var. album, Allium porraceum
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Allium ampeloprasum is a robust bulbous perennial of the Amaryllidaceae family growing 50-180 cm tall from a stout subglobose to ovoid bulb 3-7 cm in diameter that is often surrounded by numerous small bulblets and clothed in white or brownish papery tunics. The scape is solitary, erect, terete, smooth and stiff, frequently exceeding the leaves at flowering. The four to ten leaves are basal, broadly linear, flat to V-channelled, 25-60 cm long and 1-4 cm wide, glaucous to bright green with sheaths that envelop the lower third of the stem; the foliage emits a distinct allyl-garlic odour when crushed. The inflorescence is a dense subglobose umbel 4-9 cm across, subtended by a single papery deciduous spathe with a long tapering beak, and bears very many flowers on slender unequal pedicels. Flowers are bell-shaped to narrowly campanulate, with six pale pink to deep purplish-pink, oblong tepals 4-6 mm long; the six stamens are exserted, their inner three filaments characteristically broadened and three-cusped at the base. The fruit is a small loculicidal capsule containing black angular seeds. Native to the Mediterranean basin, western Asia and the British Isles, widely cultivated as the leek, kurrat and elephant garlic and naturalised in many temperate regions.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.