238 BOTANY OF CROP PLANTS 



ALLIUM PORRUM (Leek) 



Leek is a very robust biennial plant. The bulbs are 

 small. The tall scape is solid and bears broad, solid, keeled 

 leaves (Fig. 90). 



Leek is a native of the Mediterranean region. 



The edible portions of the plant are the bases of stems and 

 leaves. The stems are blanched and eaten the same as aspara- 

 gus or as common onions. The leaves are used to season 

 soups, salads and stews. 



Important varieties are Large American Flag, Mussel- 

 burgh, Large Rouen and Monstrous Caratan. 



ALLIUM SCHCENOPRASUM (Chives or Gives) 



Chives (Fig. 88) are hardy perennials bearing small, 

 white, narrowly ovoid, clustered bulbs with membranous 

 coats. The scape is stout and up to 2 feet high. The leaves 

 are linear, terete, and hollow, 7 or 8 inches in length and borne 

 in dense tufts. The rose-colored flowers are in dense, globu- 

 lar umbels. Although the plant flowers profusely, it seldom 

 produces seeds. It is propagated by division of the tufts of 

 bulbs. 



Chives are natives of Europe, Asia and North America. 

 In this country, they grow wild from New Brunswick to 

 Alaska, south to Maine, northern New York, Michigan, 

 Wyoming and Washington. 



The young leaves are used in the seasoning of soups, ome- 

 lets, and stews. The plants are also used, ornamentally, in 

 garden borders. 



ALLIUM ASCALONICUM (Shallot) 



This is a perennial herb with small, oblong-pointed bulbs 

 about I inch in diameter and 2 inches long (Fig. 94) . The 



