Tree onion
Encyclopedia
Tree onions, Allium ×proliferum, are similar to common onions
, but with a cluster of bulblets where a normal onion would have flowers. Genomic evidence has conclusively shown that they are a hybrid of the common onion
(A. cepa) and the Welsh onion
(A. fistulosum). However, some sources may still treat the tree onion as A. cepa var. proliferum or A. cepa Proliferum Group.
They are also commonly called top onions, topsetting onions, walking onions, or Egyptian onions. Tree onion bulblets will sprout and grow while still on the original stalk, which may bend down under the weight of the new growth and take root some distance from the parent plant, giving rise to the name walking onion. It has been postulated that the name Egyptian onion is derived from tree onions being brought to Europe from the Indian subcontinent by the "Gypsies".
The phenomenon of forming bulblets instead of flowers is also seen in garlic
and other various species of Allium
, which sometimes may also be referred to as top onions or tree onions. The bulblets are generally marble-sized, usually within .5 cm to 3 cm in diameter, although sizes may differ out of this range from time to time.
Many Egyptian onions are very strong flavoured, although some cultivars are relatively mild and sweet. The underground bulbs are particularly tough-skinned and pungent, and can be quite elongate, like giant scallions or leeks, or in some types may form bulbs up to two inches across. Young plants may be used as scallions in the spring, and the bulblets may be used in cooking similarly to regular onions, or preserved by pickling.
Onion
The onion , also known as the bulb onion, common onion and garden onion, is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. The genus Allium also contains a number of other species variously referred to as onions and cultivated for food, such as the Japanese bunching onion The onion...
, but with a cluster of bulblets where a normal onion would have flowers. Genomic evidence has conclusively shown that they are a hybrid of the common onion
Onion
The onion , also known as the bulb onion, common onion and garden onion, is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. The genus Allium also contains a number of other species variously referred to as onions and cultivated for food, such as the Japanese bunching onion The onion...
(A. cepa) and the Welsh onion
Welsh onion
Allium fistulosum L. is a perennial onion. Other names that may be applied to this plant include green onion, spring onion, escallion, and salad onion...
(A. fistulosum). However, some sources may still treat the tree onion as A. cepa var. proliferum or A. cepa Proliferum Group.
They are also commonly called top onions, topsetting onions, walking onions, or Egyptian onions. Tree onion bulblets will sprout and grow while still on the original stalk, which may bend down under the weight of the new growth and take root some distance from the parent plant, giving rise to the name walking onion. It has been postulated that the name Egyptian onion is derived from tree onions being brought to Europe from the Indian subcontinent by the "Gypsies".
The phenomenon of forming bulblets instead of flowers is also seen in garlic
Garlic
Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and rakkyo. Dating back over 6,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent...
and other various species of Allium
Allium
Allium is a monocot genus of flowering plants, informally referred to as the onion genus. The generic name Allium is the Latin word for garlic....
, which sometimes may also be referred to as top onions or tree onions. The bulblets are generally marble-sized, usually within .5 cm to 3 cm in diameter, although sizes may differ out of this range from time to time.
Many Egyptian onions are very strong flavoured, although some cultivars are relatively mild and sweet. The underground bulbs are particularly tough-skinned and pungent, and can be quite elongate, like giant scallions or leeks, or in some types may form bulbs up to two inches across. Young plants may be used as scallions in the spring, and the bulblets may be used in cooking similarly to regular onions, or preserved by pickling.