About Allium ramosum L.
Allium ramosum, commonly known as fragrant-flowered garlic or Chinese chives, is a northern Asian wild onion species. It is native to Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Siberia, the Russian Far East, and northern China, specifically the regions of Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, and Xinjiang. This species has also become naturalized in scattered locations in eastern Europe. Within its native range, it grows at elevations between 500 and 2100 meters. Allium ramosum produces clusters of narrow bulbs. Its scapes can grow up to 60 centimeters tall. The leaves are linear and keeled, and are shorter than the scape. Its umbels hold many densely packed flowers. The tepals are white or pale red with a distinct red midvein. In northern China and Mongolia, Allium ramosum has traditional culinary and medicinal uses. The plant is gathered between May and July, then preserved with salt for use through the winter. The preserved plant is used to season boiled mutton, or as a filling for dumplings. It is also used to treat stomach ailments. Its flowers are collected in late July and August, and are preserved by salting.
