Onion characteristics

What is an onion plant?

Characteristics of onions (Allium cepa)

illustration
Drawing of a bulb

Common noun: Onion

Scientific noun: Allium cepa L.

Family. Lily family – Liliaceae.

Habitat: Probably native from the South-west of Asia, although cultivated since the antique Egyptian people in warm climates, rarely naturalized.

Description of onion

Biennial plant of the lily family – Liliaceae – up to 70 cm.

Demi-cylindric leaves, growing from a subterranean bulb which carries shallow roots.

Erect stem, generally springing in the second year of the plant’s development, holding an umbel of white or pink flowers at the top of it.

Main active components of onion plant

punto rojo More information on onions

This article was endorsed by Julián Masats - Technical agricultural engineer specialized in horticulture and gardening.
Editorial
Written by Editorial Botanical-online team in charge of content writing

21 November, 2023

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