Bald-Head Onion Allium sphaerocephalon
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Allium sphaerocephalum
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-ee-um sfay-roh-SEF-ah-lon
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Drumstick is a bulbous herb that flowers in late spring to early summer and lasts 3-4 weeks. The plant is 30-40 inches tall with a small, densely packed umbel of small flowers. It tolerates summer drought, but keep it moist during the growing season. The plant is normally not susceptible to mammals and has an onion/garlic type aroma. It is native to Eurasia. Spreads by offsets, seeds and bulblets.
Plant 4-5 inches deep and 2-3 inches apart in well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. Use in borders, rock gardens or scatter among your perennials.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Bulb rot can occur in too wet 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:
- sphaerocephalon
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, northern Africa, western Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- Deer and rabbit resistive
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- normally not susceptible to animals, drought
- Edibility:
- Flowers, stems bulbs are edible. 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
- Cool Season Vegetable
- Poisonous
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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 pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers emerge green and mature to reddish-purple in a 1 inch wide umbel that opens top to bottom and resembles clover flowers. The flowering period is from very late spring to early summer for 3-4 weeks. Flowers are small, 6-parted, and in a cluster at the top of a naked stem. The plant smells of garlic or onion. Bulblets sometimes form after flowering.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- 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:
- Round, hollow, grassy, gray-green leaves up to 14" long form a foliage clump in spring. The plant smells of garlic or onion.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- 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:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
