Wildflower of the valley
Himalaya Onion, Jimbur
Allium wallichii
- How easy to find
- Very rare — you need to search for it — local knowledge helps
- Flower size
- Large
- Family
- Alliaceae (Onion family)
- Local name
- Doona, Laddu and Gobka
- Type
- Herb
- Height
- large
- Altitude
- 3200–4500 m
- Flower colour
- red,blue
- Flowering
- July to August
About Himalaya Onion, Jimbur
Allium wallichii is a perennial herb with single, conical and short bulb. Leaves are linear - lanceolate, keeled, flattened, blunt at apex and narrowed at base. Flowers are purple and are form umbels.
Where to find it
- In the middle of the valley
Habitat
Mountain slopes and nearby stream banks
Uses & folklore
In Nepal bulbs are used to treat altitude sickness, cough, cholera and dysentery. Cooked tender leaves can be used as vegetable. Flowers are used for garnishing salads.
What the name means
Allium is the classical Latin name for garlic; wallichii honours Nathaniel Wallich.
