A damp alpine meadow is perfect for the swamp onion (Allium validum) and in winter good drainage is needed in warmer damp climates as in the wild the roots will be frozen at that time of year. It is found in the wild from British Columbia to California and it is documented that it was eaten raw and cooked by the Cahuilla people in California.
This is one of the 80 plants in my book Around the World in 80 plants and an excerpt from the book is shown in one of the pictures here!
Most of the pictures here were submitted with the book but there was only space for two, so here they all are for the first time!
I started Allium validum from seed from two different sources and the leaf colour can be seen here to be quite different.
Japanese Aralia cordata, North American Allium validum, Caucasian Hablitzia tamnoides and Afghan Crambe cordifolia can all be harvested at the same time and form the basis of a truly international around the world perennial dish.
Allium validum (left) with Tradescantia ohiensis on the right
Common blue butterfly waiting for the flowers to open!
Ingredients to a salad with Allium validum
The assembled salad
My first grandaughter coincidentally was called Alva, hence this dedication in my book!
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