How to identify Onion (Allium cepa)
Onion, also known as Garden onion, Common onion
Onion exhibits a distinctive morphology with its cream-colored, somewhat flattened oval bulbs measuring approximately 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) in length and 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) in width. The outer skin presents a subtle hue of red, purple, or brown. The plant sprouts multiple offsets during the growth phase, suggestive of underground bulb division. Above ground, the elongated, chive-like green tops may be used culinarily, although their removal may inhibit bulb development. Deer and rabbit resistance is a notable characteristic of this plant.
Lifespan: Perennial, Annual, Biennial
Plant Type: Herb
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Cream-colored oval bulbs, 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long with red, purple, or brown skin.
Chive-like green tops with multiple offsets and deer/rabbit resistance.
Small white/pink star-shaped flowers in spheroid clusters, 0.8-3 inches (2-8 cm) wide.
Dry capsules with black, wrinkled seeds, 0.2-0.24 inches (4-6 mm) wide.
Hollow tubular stem, 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) wide, green to bluish-green.
The leaves of onion are long and green with a glaucous surface, giving them a slightly bluish tint. The sheaths cover about 1/4 of the stem. They are linear and arranged in an erect cluster. Young leaves are initially solid but later become hollow and cylindrical, reaching up to 20 inches (50 cm) in length. The texture is smooth, and the leaves possess a uniform, unbranched vein pattern.
Onion flowers are small clusters of white or pink star or bell-shaped blossoms with exerted stamens. These greenish white to purple flowers form spheroid clusters known as umbels, measuring 0.8-3 inches (2-8 cm) wide. Each umbel is densely packed with 50-2000 individual flowers. The flowers of onion bloom in these striking, ball-shaped clusters, displaying a unique and identifiable floral arrangement.
The stem of onion is hollow and tubular, resembling a round cylinder. It typically measures around 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) in diameter. The stem is smooth, with a green to bluish-green color. The texture is generally firm and sturdy, yet it has an inherent flexibility. Stems grow upright and do not exhibit branching. This unique hollow structure is a key identifying feature of the plant.
The fruit of onion is a dry, dehiscent capsule measuring about 0.2-0.24 inches (4-6 mm) in width. These small, globular capsules open at maturity to release numerous black, wrinkled seeds. The seeds are tiny, ensuring that even amateur plant enthusiasts can recognize the distinctive texture and color of the seeds against the stark contrast of the capsule's interior. Key identifying features include the seeds’ dark hue and irregular surface, encapsulated by a structure that splits open to facilitate dissemination.
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Scientific Classification of Onion
