Allium giganteum aka Giant Onion

Allium giganteum, also known as the giant onion, is an Asian species of onion native to central and southwestern Asia. This bulbous perennial is cultivated as a flowering garden plant in various countries. It is the tallest species of Allium commonly grown, reaching heights of up to 1.5 meters. The plant produces strap-shaped pale green leaves that wither away as the flowers emerge. In summer, it showcases large, densely-packed spherical heads of purple-pink, star-shaped flowers on straight stems that can exceed 1 meter in height. Among its variations, the 'Globemaster' cultivar stands out with shorter stature (80 centimeters) but boasts much larger umbels, measuring around 15-20 centimeters in diameter. Both the Allium giganteum and 'Globemaster' have received the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. This species is naturally found in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In the United States, it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 6-10. It is important to note that consuming any part of the plant, including flowers, seeds, leaves, and stems, can lead to digestive discomfort like nausea,, and diarrhea due to the presence of sulfides.