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WELSH, JAPANESE, OR SPRING ONION
Allium fistulosum L., family Amaryllidaceae

The Welsh, Japanese, or spring onion (see "Onion") is rarely grown in the United States, although it is of some importance in England and continental Europe. Its leaves are used in seasoning foods (Anonymous 1955).

Plant:

The cylindrical hollow leaves are larger than those of the onion and have enlarged mid-areas, but the flowering stalk is short, 12 to 20 inches long, and thick. The bulbous base is little thicker than the stem (Bailey 1949*). Propagation is by seeds or division of the plant. It is a perennial that forms seed stems the second year and each year thereafter. Seed yields usually range from 700 to 1,000 lb/acre (Hawthorn and Pollard 1954*).

Inflorescence:

Similar to onion, except that the flowers begin opening at the apex.

Pollination Requirements:

Similar to onion.

Pollinators:

Probably similar to those attracted to onions.

Pollination Recommendations and Practices:

None.

LITERATURE CITED:

ANONYMOUS.
1955. ONIONS AND RELATED CROPS. [Gt. Brit.] Min. Agr. and Fisheries Bul 69, 38 pp. London.

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