cromba
Just Arrived
Joined: 25 Mar 2008
Posts: 18
Location: Ozark Mountains
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 2:48 pm Post subject: Wild Onions |
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I have a lot of what I think are wild onions on my property. But I have heard that there are similar non-edible varieties and look like onions. How can you really tell if it is an edible? I pulled a few up and transplanted them to observe how they grow, but it will take a season to tell. The green parts are thin tubes like a scallion, only smaller and the bulbs look like tiny onion bulbs, so they sure look like onions. Appreciate any help!
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
 Moderator
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Posts: 10340
Location: Scotland (Map)
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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They could be wild garlic cromba. Do they roots have a smell when you pull them up?
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Primsong
Flower of the Shire
Joined: 15 Apr 2006
Posts: 1765
Location: Oregon (Map)
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 3:05 am Post subject: |
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How big is 'little'? I know we have chives that come up all the time, and they might meet that criteria too.
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CritterPainter
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 1169
Location: Washington State
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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Oh, please, do NOT eat them until you have an expert tell you otherwise! On the prairie where I live the Camas (also known as Indian Onion, it was a main food staple for them) is in bloom right now, a lovely lavendar-blue. BUT, growing side-by-side and not blooming yet is a plant with an IDENTICAL-looking bulb that is deadly, it's actually called death camas! Really, the only true way to be absolutely sure is to pull the bulbs while it's blooming or shortly therafter, and that is far from ideal. Or, like I say, consult a local professional who really likes you!
That being said, Camas was a main dietary staple here- it doesn't taste like onion, only look and vaguely smells like one. They would dry it, grind it into powder, and use it like flour.
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Mary
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