Vegetable Seed Production
Family: Alliaceae

Onion :: Chive :: Garlic :: Leek

Common Name: Onion Scientific Name: Allium cepa Family Name: Alliaceae

Onion introduction & history

Onion is a biennial or, by means of bulbs, a perennial. The onion is a cool season crop that will tolerate light frosts but not prolonged periods far below freezing. High temperatures negatively affect bulb quality. Alliums have a unique plant architecture

Onion is believed to have originated in Middle Asia where it was first domesticated in what is today Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. Onion is a very ancient crop and has been under widespread cultivation since prehistoric times. Onions were a popular food item of the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians.

Alliums were brought to the New World from Europe with early explorers and colonists.

Onion Seed Production and Identification page

Common Name: Chive Scientific Name: Allium schoenoprasum Family Name: Alliaceae

Chive introduction & history

Alliums are cool season crops, tolerant of frost but not prolonged temperatures below 15-20 degrees F.

Chive is of Eastern Mediterranean origin.

Chive Seed Identification page

Common Name: Garlic Scientific Name: Allium sativum Family Name: Alliaceae

Garlic introduction & history

Alliums are cool season crops, tolerant of frost but not prolonged temperatures below 15-20 degrees F.

Garlic is propagated asexually with cloves. About 800-1000 lbs. of cloves are planted per acre. Planting is usually done in the late fall with harvest occurring in July through September of the following year.

Garlic is also believed to have originated in Middle Asia. The culture of garlic parallels that of onion. Garlic was mentioned by the Greek author Homer in 9th century B.C. Garlic was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians, chewed by Greek Olympian athletes, and thought to be essential for keeping vampires at bay!

Garlic Seed Identification page

Common Name: Leek Scientific Name: Allium ampeloprasum Family Name: Alliaceae

Leek introduction & history

Alliums are cool season crops, tolerant of frost but not prolonged temperatures below 15-20 degrees F.

Leek is believed to be of Middle Asia origin. Leek has been cultivated in Europe and the Mediterranean region since ancient times. Leek has never become as popular in the US as it is in Western Europe where it is a major crop.

Leek Seed Identification page