Photo of Allium cepa L. (Onion)

Allium cepa L. – (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 umbell of white or pink flowers at the top of it. Probably native from the South-west of Asia, although cultivated since the antique Egyptian people in warm climates, rarely naturalized.