The tree onion (''Allium'' × ''proliferum'') is a

perennial In horticulture, the term perennial ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the year") is used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. It has thus been defined as a plant that lives more than 2 years. The term is also ...

plant similar to the common onion (''A. cepa''), but with a cluster of bulblets where a normal onion would have flowers. Tree onions are also known as topsetting onions, walking onions, or Egyptian onions. Genomic evidence has suggested that they may be a

diploid Ploidy () is the number of complete sets of chromosomes in a cell, and hence the number of possible alleles for autosomal and pseudoautosomal genes. Here ''sets of chromosomes'' refers to the number of maternal and paternal chromosome copies, ...

hybrid of the

shallot The shallot is a cultivar group of the onion. Until 2010, the (French red) shallot was classified as a separate species, ''Allium ascalonicum''. The taxon was synonymized with '' Allium cepa'' (the common onion) in 2010, as the difference was t ...

and the Welsh onion (''A. fistulosum''). Other sources treat the tree onion as ''A. cepa'' var. ''proliferum'' or ''A. cepa'' Proliferum Group. Tree onion bulblets will sprout and grow while still on the original stalk. The bulblets are usually marble-sized, between 0.5 cm to 3 cm in diameter. They 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" derived from

Romani people {{Infobox ethnic group , group = Romani people , image = , image_caption = , flag = Roma flag.svg , flag_caption = Romani flag created in 1933 and accepted at the 1971 World Romani Congress , po ...

bringing tree onions to Europe from the Indian subcontinent. The phenomenon of forming bulblets ( bulbils) instead of flowers is also seen in top-setting

garlic Garlic (''Allium sativum'') is a species of bulbous flowering plants in the genus '' Allium''. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chives, Welsh onion, and Chinese onion. Garlic is native to central and south Asia, str ...

and other alliums, which sometimes may also be referred to as top onions or tree onions. Also known as turfed stone leek, it may be cultivated commercially and for foliage. It is described as a shallot which can be grown in tropical conditions. Many tree 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

leek A leek is a vegetable, a cultivar of ''Allium ampeloprasum'', the broadleaf wild leek (synonym (taxonomy), syn. ''Allium porrum''). The edible part of the plant is a bundle of Leaf sheath, leaf sheaths that is sometimes erroneously called a "s ...

s, or in some types may form bulbs up to 5 cm across. Young plants may be used as

scallion Scallions (also known as green onions and spring onions) are edible vegetables of various species in the genus ''Allium''. Scallions generally have a milder taste than most onions. Their close relatives include garlic, shallots, leeks, chive ...

s in the spring, and the bulblets may be used in cooking similarly to regular onions, or preserved by

pickling Pickling is the process of food preservation, preserving or extending the shelf life of food by either Anaerobic organism, anaerobic fermentation (food), fermentation in brine or immersion in vinegar. The pickling procedure typically affects t ...

Culinary use

Japan

The plant is known as in Japan. Considered a specialty of the Hiroshima Prefecture, it is used in local cooking similar to other scallions.

Korea

In Korea, ''Allium'' × ''proliferum'' along with '' A. fistulosum'' is called ''pa'' (, "scallion"), while common

onion An onion (''Allium cepa'' , from Latin ), also known as the bulb onion or common onion, is a vegetable that is the most widely cultivated species of the genus '' Allium''. The shallot is a botanical variety of the onion which was classifie ...

s are called ''yangpa'' (, "Western scallion"). While ''A.'' × ''proliferum'' is called ''jjokpa'' (, "separated scallion"), ''A. fistulosum'' is called either '' daepa'' (, "big scallion") or '' silpa'' (, "thread scallion") depending on the size. Unlike ''daepa'' and ''silpa'', which are usually used as a spice, herb, or garnish, ''jjokpa'' is often used as the main ingredient of various scallion dishes in

Korean cuisine Korean cuisine is the set of foods and culinary styles which are associated with Korean culture. This cuisine has evolved through centuries of social and political change. Originating from ancient Prehistoric Korea, agricultural and nomad ...

. Common dishes made with ''jjokpa'' include '' pajeon'' (scallion pancakes) and ''

pa-kimchi ''Pa-kimchi'' (), also known as green onion kimchi or scallion kimchi, is a type of kimchi that Koreans usually eat for ''banchan'' (traditional side dishes) and is most popular in Jeolla Province. ''Pa-kimchi'' uses medium-thick green onions k ...

'' (scallion kimchi). File:Haemulpajeon.jpg, '' Haemul- pajeon'' (scallion pancake with seafood) File:Scallion kimchi.jpg, ''

Pa-kimchi ''Pa-kimchi'' (), also known as green onion kimchi or scallion kimchi, is a type of kimchi that Koreans usually eat for ''banchan'' (traditional side dishes) and is most popular in Jeolla Province. ''Pa-kimchi'' uses medium-thick green onions k ...

'' (scallion kimchi)

Gallery

Image:Allium cepa2.jpg, Egyptian onions Image:Sint Jansui (Allium fistulosum var. bulbifera).jpg, Tree onion Image:Egyptian Tree Onion, Walking Onion, Topset Onion (Allium cepa var. proliferum).jpg, Growing in a garden

References

{{taxonbar, from=Q41794154 proliferum Interspecific plant hybrids Korean vegetables Onions Perennial vegetables Plants described in 1794

Culinary use

Japan

Korea

Gallery

See also

References