Allium oreophilum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Allium ostrowskianum
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-ee-um or-ee-oh-FY-lum
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Pink Lily Leek is an ornamental onion native to Eurasia that blooms May-June for 2-3 weeks in a loose umbel of 10-15 rosy-red flowers. It generally reaches 8-12 inches tall. The flat linear leaves stay attractive until mid-summer when they die back. The plant will naturalize and spread slowly to form a colony.
Plant bulbs in the fall 4-5 inches deep and 2-3 inches apart in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils. Use for mass plantings, in borders, rock gardens or interspersed among perennials.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Bulb rot can occur in too moist soil. Bulb mites can occur.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Allium
- Species:
- oreophilum
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Turkey to NW. China and NW. Pakistan
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- normally not susceptible to animals, drought
- Edibility:
- Flowers have a mildly bitter flavor and like young leaves and bulbs can be eaten in small quantities raw in salads and sandwiches or cooked in tea and soups. However, the plant also has poisonous characteristics as noted in the "Poisonous to Humans" section of this record. Toxicity can depend on the age of the person or animal, the age of the plant, the part of the plant ingested, how much is ingested, whether the person or animal has sensitivities or allergies, whether it's eaten raw or cooked, and so forth. Consult with a medical professional for further details.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Rosy-red with a darker midvein. Individual flowers are small, 6-parted, and in a cluster at the top of a naked stem.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Flat linear gray-green leaves are semi-erect and longer than the scape with an odor of onions or garlic.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Wiry greenish-red stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. Poisonous if ingested. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. (Poison parts: All parts; bulbs, bulblets, flowers, and stems)
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Sulfides
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
