In southeastern Europe, within Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Romania. In northern Europe, in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In middle Europe, it is found within Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. It is found in Asia within the Caucasus (in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia), also in China, Iran, Iraq, Japan (within the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russian Federation (within the krais of Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, and Primorye) Siberia and Turkey. Illustration from the Japanese agricultural encyclopedia Seikei Zusetsu (1804) Distribution and habitat Ĭhives are native to temperate areas of Europe, Asia and North America. The Flora of North America notes that the species is very variable, and considers recognition of varieties as 'unsound'. Varieties have also been proposed, including A. schoenoprasum var. latiorifolium (Pau) Rivas Mart., Fern.Gonz. gredense (Rivas Goday) Rivas Mart., Fern.Gonz. Some subspecies have been proposed, but are not accepted by Plants of the World Online, as of July 2021, which sinks them into the species: In the Middle Ages, it was known as 'rush leek'.

Its English name, chives, derives from the French word cive, from cepa, the Latin word for onion. The name of the species derives from the Greek σχοίνος, skhoínos ( sedge or rush) and πράσον, práson ( leek). It was formally described by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal publication Species Plantarum in 1753. Īlthough chives are repulsive to insects in general, due to their sulfur compounds, their flowers attract bees, and they are at times kept to increase desired insect life. One example was found in northern Maine growing solitary, instead of in clumps, also exhibiting dingy grey flowers. Differences between specimens are significant. Sometimes, the plants found in North America are classified as A. Ĭhives are the only species of Allium native to both the New and the Old Worlds. The herb flowers from April to May in the southern parts of its habitat zones and in June in the northern parts. The seeds are produced in a small, three-valved capsule, maturing in summer. The flowers are pale purple, and star-shaped with six petals, 1–2 cm ( 1⁄ 2– 3⁄ 4 in) wide, and produced in a dense inflorescence of 10-30 together before opening, the inflorescence is surrounded by a papery bract. The grass-like leaves, which are shorter than the scapes, are also hollow and tubular, or terete, (round in cross-section) which distinguishes it at a glance from garlic chives ( Allium tuberosum). The scapes (or stems) are hollow and tubular, up to 50 cm (20 in) long and 2–3 mm ( 1⁄ 16– 1⁄ 8 in) across, with a soft texture, although, prior to the emergence of a flower, they may appear stiffer than usual. The bulbs are slender, conical, 2–3 cm ( 3⁄ 4– 1 + 1⁄ 4 in) long and 1 cm ( 1⁄ 2 in) broad, and grow in dense clusters from the roots. Description Ĭhives are a bulb-forming herbaceous perennial plant, growing to 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall. It was rated in the top 10 for most nectar production (nectar per unit cover per year) in a UK plants survey conducted by the AgriLand project which is supported by the UK Insect Pollinators Initiative. The plant provides a great deal of nectar for pollinators. Chives have insect-repelling properties that can be used in gardens to control pests. The edible flowers can be used in salads. In culinary use, the green stalks ( scapes) and the unopened, immature flower buds are diced and used as an ingredient for omelettes, fish, potatoes, soups, and many other dishes. Ĭhives are a commonly used herb and can be found in grocery stores or grown in home gardens.

schoenoprasum is the only species of Allium native to both the New and the Old Worlds. Ī perennial plant, it is widespread in nature across much of Europe, Asia, and North America. Their close relatives include the common onions, garlic, shallot, leek, scallion, and Chinese onion. Chives, scientific name Allium schoenoprasum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae that produces edible leaves and flowers.

Nectar portland