ALPINE LEEK

Allium victorialis, commonly known as victory onion, Alpine leek, or caucas, is a broad-leaved species of wild onion. It is a perennial of the Amaryllis family that occurs widely in mountainous or northerly regions across Europe and Asia. Leaves are broad elliptical or lanceolate. Flowers (perianths) are whitish green. In the Caucasus, this plant has been occacionally grown in the home garden for use as [12] vegetable. In Siberia too, the young shoots are eaten.

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This pukusa or wild onion has been used as folk remedy among the Ainu. For example, it is [ administered as a diuretic to treat urine blockage relating to certain stomach disorders. The plant has intense garlic-like odor, and the presence of specific odor agents have been identified by researchers (#Chemistry). The garlicky odor (cf.allicin content) is thought more intense than garlic itself. Magical use Ainu folklore held that due to its odor, this wild onion was capable of repelling diseases. So when an epidemic broke out, the onion would be left hanging at the entrances to the village or dangled from [23] the eaves of each house.