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Allium hookeri Thwaites
| Family Name: | Amaryllidaceae |
| Common Name: | Chinese Garlic Chives, Royale Chives, Hooker's Onion, East Himalayan Chives, Green Dragon Chives, 青龙菜 (qing long cai) |
Qing Long Cai (青龙菜) is a nutritious herb rich in antioxidants which is popular in Asian cuisine. It contains compounds that may help to prevent age-related diseases.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Compact |
| Maximum Height | 0.3 m to 0.6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Bhutan to South Central China, Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Highland / Montane, Temperate |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial herb up to 0.3-0.6 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Linear leaves are thick with a prominent midrib (30-46 cm long, 0.6-0.8 cm wide). |
| Flowers | Round, umbel inflorescence is up to 0.6 m tall and produced from the underground bulb. It is composed of small, white to greenish white, star-shaped flowers. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a dry, dehiscent capsule. |
| Habitat | It occurs in temperate forests and grasslands on moist soils up to 4,200 m above sea level. |
| Associated Fauna | Pollinated by wasps (Eumenes sp., Campsomeris sp.) and ants (Camponotus sp.). |
| Cultivation | Fertilise every 1-3 months for plants in true ground. Grows best in moist, well-drained soils. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves, Edible Flowers, Edible Storage Organs Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Raw or cooked leaves, roots and bulbs are used as vegetable or flavouring and flowers as a salad garnish in China, North India and Southeast Asia (Herb or Spice) Medicinal: It contains compounds that may help to protect the brain and prevent age-related diseases (Doan et al., 2023). |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Prefers Cool Environment |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Truncate / Square |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ) |
| Typical Foliar Size | 30 cm to 46 cm |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Inflorescence Type | Umbel |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33817 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8233 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
