Allium scorodoprasum
Species of flowering plant
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Through Europe, Middle East and Korea
The species should not be confused with rocambole garlic, which is A. sativum var. ophioscorodon.
Description
The sand leek is a perennial plant with an egg-shaped bulb. The plant produces two to five unstalked leaves, the bases of which are sheath-like. Each leaf blade is linear, 7–20 millimetres (1⁄4–3⁄4 in) wide, flat with a slight keel, an entire margin and parallel veins. The edges of the leaf and the central vein are rough to the touch. The flowering stem is cylindrical, growing to a height of 30 to 90 cm (12 to 35 in) and the upper half is leafless. The whole plant has an onion-like aroma.
The inflorescence is a globular cluster surrounded by membranous bracts in bud which wither when the flowers open. Each individual flower is stalked and has a purple perianth 4 to 7 mm (1⁄8 to 1⁄4 in) long. There are six tepals, six stamens and a pistil formed from three fused carpels. Mixed with the flowers are a number of purple bulbils. The fruit is a capsule, but the seeds rarely set, and propagation usually takes place when the bulbils are knocked off and grow into new plants.
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Distribution and habitat
The natural habitat of A. scorodoprasum is damp broad-leaved woodland, forest margins, shores, hillside meadows and hedgerows. It was at one time used as a kitchen herb and can occasionally be found near old habitations.
Cultivation
A. scorodoprasum is edible, but rarely cultivated, and has a shorter flower stalk and fewer and more inconsistently shaped cloves than Rocambole garlic. Sand leek also has a dark violet bulb wrapper.
Elephant garlic (properly A. ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum) is also sometimes incorrectly sold as A. scorodoprasum.
Uses
The bulbs and flower bulbils can be cooked similar to garlic, with a milder flavor.