Liliaceae Allium cernuum Roth

Nodding Onion

Thompson - Food, Dried Food

Use documented by:
Turner, Nancy J., Laurence C. Thompson and M. Terry Thompson et al., 1990, Thompson Ethnobotany: Knowledge and Usage of Plants by the Thompson Indians of British Columbia, Victoria. Royal British Columbia Museum, page 117

View all documented uses for Allium cernuum Roth

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Scientific name: Allium cernuum Roth
USDA symbol: ALCEC2 (View details at USDA PLANTS site)
Common names: Nodding Onion
Family: Liliaceae
Family (APG): Nartheciaceae
Native American Tribe: Thompson
Use category: Food
Use sub-category: Dried Food
Notes: Bulbs tied in bundles, partially dried, pit cooked and used for food. The bulbs were cleaned and twined together in mats before they were cooked. They were tied together by their leaves in big bunches, about fifteen centimeters across. They were dipped in water, but not soaked, then laid in the cooking pit interspersed with layers of beardtongue and alder leaves. The bulbs were steam cooked overnight and after being cooked, they became extremely sweet and were considered a delicacy. The cooked bulbs were eaten after they ate meat. It was very important to them for refreshment. Sometimes, the bulbs were cooked with black tree lichen.

RECRD: 32253 id: 2165

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