Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium Read more about this collection »

LeavesCoarse; slightly tapering; hollow (Moss, 1983). Basal; 3 mm thick; round (Johnson et al., 1995). FlowersUmbel 2.5-5 cm wide; short pedicels; perianth segments pink to purple; dark mid veins; 8-14 mm long; lance-shaped (Moss, 1983). Fruits and SeedsEgg-shaped; capsule; 3 lobes; seeds black; honey-combed surface; 1-2 seeds per cavity (Johnson et al., 1995).

Scientific Name Allium schoenoprasum L. Common Name wild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). General Description An onion-smelling perennial that develops from 1-2 egg-shaped, membranous bulbs; stem is 20-60 cm tall and bears pink to purple flowers (Johnson et al., 1995). Leaves Coarse; slightly tapering; hollow (Moss, 1983). Basal; 3 mm thick; round (Johnson et al., 1995). Flowers Umbel 2.5-5 cm wide; short pedicels; perianth segments pink to purple; dark mid veins; 8-14 mm long; lance-shaped (Moss, 1983). Fruits and Seeds Egg-shaped; capsule; 3 lobes; seeds black; honey-combed surface; 1-2 seeds per cavity (Johnson et al., 1995). Phenology June to August (JSTOR). Notes

2n=16* (Moss, 1983). Also includes Allium sibiricum and Allium schoenoprasum var. sibiricum (Moss, 1983). It is very important to not confuse this species with Zygadenus elegans which is extremely poisonous; A. schoenoprasum can be distinguished by its characteristic onion smell (Johnson et al., 1995). This species has been used to treat coughs and colds from juice boiled to make syrup; the bulb was used to fumigate a patient and to open sinuses (Johnson et al., 1995). It was used to stimulate appetite and aid digestion; the juice is slightly antiseptic and was used with sphagnum moss on wounds; crushed bulbs have been applied to insect bites, stings, hives, burns, sores, blemishes and snakebites (Johnson et al., 1995). They have a similar taste to green onions; can be used as a cooked vegetable (Johnson et al., 1995).

Range/Distribution

Alberta: Predominantly SW in mountain range with a few occurrences central and north (Canadensys). CAN (BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NL, NS, NB, YT, NT); USA (AK, WA, OR, MT, ID, NV, WY, UT, CO, MN, WI, MO, MI, IL, IN, OH, VA,…

Page Citation

"Species Details - Allium schoenoprasum L., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-2859/12-169138. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

29 results plotted on map in 25 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

44707 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Medicine Lake Date Collected1973-07-22

45660 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park, Crypt Lake Date Collected1970-07-23

4831 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Crowsnest Forest Reserve Date Collected1944-07-18

37196 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Lake Louise Date Collected1942-07-13

45659 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park, Rowe Lakes Date Collected1970-07-29

37195 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park, Waterton Park Date Collected1930-06-23

37198 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, St. Patrick's Island, Calgary Date Collected1949-06-28

100020 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Mount Temple Date Collected1945-07-07

4828 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Dunvegan Date Collected1947-07-22

36513 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Calgary, Bowness Date Collected1944-07-09

4829 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Pincher Creek Date Collected1939-07-28

4825 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park

36514 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1939-06-23

4832 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Luscar Date Collected1953-08-08

37197 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, St. Patrick's Island, Calgary Date Collected1945-08-31

4826 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Medicine Lake Date Collected1939-07-05

41522 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Ya Ha Tinda Ranch Date Collected1967-08-05

37960 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Twin Butte Date Collected1971-06-17

4823 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1926-06-25

4830 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Crowsnest Forest Reserve Date Collected1944-08-06

4827 - Allium schoenoprasum L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namewild chives (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1939-06-06

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