Allium roylei
Allium roylei
Safety & Hazards
Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible[ 76 Title Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. Publication Author Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Publisher HMSO Year 1984 ISBN 0112425291 Description Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock. ].
Botanical Description
Allium roylei is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from an underground bulb. It produces 1 - 3 grass-like leaves and a flowering scape 20 - 40cm tall. New bulbs are produced on a short rhizome, the plant developing into a cluster of growth[ 287 Title Flora of Pakistan Publication Author Website http://www.efloras.org Publisher Year ISBN Description As of 2006, there is not much information on habitats available, but it is being developed and promises to be an excellent resource. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is used in breeding programmes with the common onion. Population reduction is suspected to have occurred in this species, and the causes are ongoing due to habitat loss which is cited by Sharma and Gohil (2008) as a particular pressure on this species and well as the issue of sterility limiting population expansion. Furthermore, the local use of the species is reported to be resulting in over-consumption so current and potential levels of exploitation are suspected to be high. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].