Difference between revisions of "Leek"

From Gardenology.org - Plant Encyclopedia and Gardening Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
m (Leek (vegetable) moved to Leek: on this site there are no other uses)
 
(4 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{Otheruses}}
+
__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
−
{{expert-subject|Plants}}
+
| name = ''A. ampeloprasum'' 'porrum'
−
{{Taxobox
+
| common_names = Leek
−
| color = lightgreen
+
| growth_habit = herbaceous
−
| name = Leek
+
| high = 12" - 24"  <!--- 1m (3 ft) -->
 +
| wide =    <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->
 +
| origin = ?  <!--- Mexico, S America, S Europe, garden, etc -->
 +
| poisonous =    <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
 +
| lifespan =    <!--- perennial, annual, etc -->
 +
| exposure = ?  <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
 +
| water = ?  <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->
 +
| features =    <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive -->
 +
| hardiness =    <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc -->
 +
| bloom =    <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
 +
| usda_zones = ?  <!--- eg. 8-11 -->
 +
| sunset_zones =     <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->
 +
| color = IndianRed
 
| image = Leeks.JPG
 
| image = Leeks.JPG
−
| image_width = 250px
+
| image_width = 180px    <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
−
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
+
| image_caption =    <!--- eg. Cultivated freesias -->
−
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
+
| regnum = Plantae
−
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
+
| divisio = Magnoliophyta
−
| ordo = [[Asparagales]]
+
| classis = Liliopsida
−
| familia = [[Alliaceae]]
+
| ordo = Asparagales
−
| genus = ''[[Allium]]''
+
| familia = Alliaceae
−
| species = ''[[Allium ampeloprasum|A. ampeloprasum]]''
+
| genus = Allium
−
| subspecies = '''''A. ampeloprasum'' var. ''porrum'''''
+
| species = A. ampeloprasum
−
| trinomial = ''Allium ampeloprasum'' var. ''porrum''
+
| subspecies = var. ''porrum''
−
| trinomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) [[Jacques Étienne Gay|J.Gay]]
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
The '''leek''' (''Allium ampeloprasum'' var. ''porrum'' (L.)) is a [[vegetable]] belonging, along with the [[onion]] and [[garlic]], to the ''[[Alliaceae]]'' family.  Also in this species are two very different vegetables:  the [[elephant garlic]] (''Allium ampeloprasum'' var. ''ampeloprasum''), grown for its bulbs, and [[kurrat]], which is grown in [[Egypt]] and elsewhere in the [[Middle East]] for its leaves.  The leek is also sometimes classified as ''Allium porrum'' (L.).
 
The '''leek''' (''Allium ampeloprasum'' var. ''porrum'' (L.)) is a [[vegetable]] belonging, along with the [[onion]] and [[garlic]], to the ''[[Alliaceae]]'' family.  Also in this species are two very different vegetables:  the [[elephant garlic]] (''Allium ampeloprasum'' var. ''ampeloprasum''), grown for its bulbs, and [[kurrat]], which is grown in [[Egypt]] and elsewhere in the [[Middle East]] for its leaves.  The leek is also sometimes classified as ''Allium porrum'' (L.).
 +
{{Inc|
 +
Leek (''Allium Porrum''), a flat-leaved, bulbous, hardy biennial, is probably a native of the Mediterranean region, where, particularly in Egypt, it has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes since prehistoric time.
  
−
==Form==
+
Leek, though of the onion family, is differently treated and used. The object in its cultivation is to develop the leaves in such a manner that they become numerous; the flower-stem does not appear before the second year, hence the necessity of growing it to full size the first year. Sow the seed in March in a seed-bed (with slight bottom heat), in drills 2 or 3 inches apart; when large enough, thin out to stand 1 inch apart in the row, as they may attain the thickness of a fair- sized straw. In May or early June the seedlings are transplanted in the open ground; they are then cut half - way down and should also be set deep, so they will begin blanching when they attain a fair size. The soil best suited is a rich, moist, light loam; prior to the transplanting it should be well prepared with well- rotted stable manure, if possible. The plants are generally set in drills 12 to 15 inches apart, and 6 to 9 inches apart in the drills. Shortening both roots and stems is often advised. As the plants grow, the soil should be drawn loosely around the stems and lower leaves to insure blanching. They should be well cultivated, and when growing freely should be earthed up slightly with the hand-cultivator or hand-hoe. Some of the successful gardeners still cultivate them on the celery-trenching system; by this means they can be watered more thoroughly and will attain a much larger size; also can be conveniently left in the trench with slight protection, and taken therefrom for winter use. Care must be taken not to cover too early, as they decay easily, beginning at the end of the foliage; this destroys the appearance. The hardier kinds used for this purpose will blanch yellow down to the so-called stem, which is white to the root. Leeks planted out in May are ready for use in September; the sowings can be made earlier and later to suit the time of maturing, and can be sown in August and September in coldframes and wintered over with slight protection, then transplanted to the open ground in April. The varieties best known to American gardeners are London Flag, Large Musselburgh or Scotch Flag, Giant Carentan, and Large Rouen.
−
Rather than forming a tight bulb like the onion, the leek produces a long cylinder of bundled leaf sheaths which are generally blanched by pushing soil around them (trenching). They are often sold as small seedlings in flats which are started off early in [[greenhouse]]s, to be planted out as weather permits. Once established in the garden, leeks are hardy; many varieties can be left in the ground during the winter to be harvested as needed.
 
  
−
==Cultivars==
+
When blanched leeks are not desired, the plants may be cultivated like onions; indeed, except for earthing up, the cultural methods employed for these two crops are identical. Leeks are marketed in bunches like young onions and, for winter use, are stored like celery. As a second crop to follow early cabbage, spinach, and the like, they are in general favor with market-gardeners. In soups and stews the rank odor disappears, leaving a mild and agreeable flavor.  
−
Leek cultivars can be subdivided in several ways, but the most common types are "summer leeks", intended for harvest in the season when planted, and overwintering leeks, meant to be harvested in the spring of the year following planting. Summer leek types are generally smaller than overwintering types; overwintering types are generally more strongly flavored.
+
}}
  
−
==Growing==
+
{{Inc|
−
Leeks are easy to grow from seed and tolerate standing in the field for an extended harvest. Leeks usually reach maturity in the autumn months, and they have few pest or disease problems. Leeks can be bunched and harvested early when they are about the size of a finger or pencil, or they can be thinned and allowed to grow to a much larger mature size. [[Hilling]] leeks can produce better specimens.  
+
Allium porrum, Linn. Leek. Stout plant, 2 ft. or more: lvs. very broad and strongly conduplicate or keeled: scape arising the second season; fls. white or blush: bulb simple and scarcely more than an enlargement of the stalk. Eu.{{SCH}}
 +
}}
  
−
==Cuisine==
+
Rather than forming a tight bulb like the onion, the leek produces a long cylinder of bundled leaf sheaths which are generally blanched by pushing soil around them (trenching). They are often sold as small seedlings in flats which are started off early in [[greenhouse]]s, to be planted out as weather permits. Once established in the garden, leeks are hardy; many varieties can be left in the ground during the winter to be harvested as needed.
−
[[Image:Leeks produce-1.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Leeks for sale.]]
 
−
The edible portions of the Leek are the white onion base and light green stalk.  The onion-like layers form around a core.  The tender core may be eaten, but as the leek ages the core becomes woody and generally unusable. Leeks are an essential ingredient of [[cock-a-leekie soup|cock-a-leekie]] and of [[vichyssoise]]. They can also be used raw in salads, doing especially well when they are the prime ingredient.
 
  
−
Because of their symbolism in [[Wales]] (see below), they have come to be used extensively in that country's cuisine.
+
==Cultivation==
−
{{clr}}
+
Leeks are easy to grow from seed and tolerate standing in the field for an extended harvest. Leeks usually reach maturity in the autumn months, and they have few pest or disease problems. Leeks can be bunched and harvested early when they are about the size of a finger or pencil, or they can be thinned and allowed to grow to a much larger mature size. [[Hilling]] leeks can produce better specimens.  
  
−
==Nutrition==
+
===Propagation===
 +
{{edit-prop}}<!--- Type propagation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
  
−
==Other Information==
+
===Pests and diseases===
−
Dried specimens from archaeological sites in [[ancient Egypt]], as well as wall carvings and drawings, led Zohary and Hopf to conclude that the leek was a part of the Egyptian diet "from at least the 2<sup>nd</sup> millennium B.C. onwards." They also allude to surviving texts that show it had been also grown in Mesopotamia from the beginning of the 2<sup>nd</sup> millennium B.C.<ref>Daniel Zohary and Maria Hopf, ''Domestication of plants in the Old World'', third edition (Oxford: University Press, 2000),p. 195</ref> The leek was the favorite vegetable of the Emperor [[Nero]], who consumed it most often in soup.
+
{{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
  
−
The leek is one of the [[national emblem]]s of [[Wales]], whose citizens wear it on [[St. David's Day]]. According to [[Welsh mythology|legend]], [[Cadwaladr|King Cadwallader]] ordered his Welsh soldiers to identify themselves by wearing the vegetable on their helmets in an ancient battle against the [[Saxons]] that took place in a leek field. This story may have been made up by the English poet [[Michael Drayton]], but it is known that the leek has been a symbol of Wales for a long time; [[Shakespeare]], for example, refers to the custom of wearing a leek as an "ancient tradition" in [[Henry V (play)|Henry V]]. In the play, [[Henry V of England|Henry]] tells [[Fluellen]] that he is wearing a leek "for I am Welsh, you know, good countryman". The 1985 and 1990 [[British One Pound coin]]s bear the design of a leek in a [[coronet]], representing Wales.
+
==Cultivars==
 +
Leek cultivars can be subdivided in several ways, but the most common types are "summer leeks", intended for harvest in the season when planted, and overwintering leeks, meant to be harvested in the spring of the year following planting. Summer leek types are generally smaller than overwintering types; overwintering types are generally more strongly flavored.
  
 +
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
Image:Leek flowers.jpg|Leek flowers
 
Image:Leek flowers.jpg|Leek flowers
 
Image:Double Leek Flower Head 2400px.jpg|Two blooming flower heads
 
Image:Double Leek Flower Head 2400px.jpg|Two blooming flower heads
 
Image:Single Leek Flower Head 2000px.jpg|Closeup of a blooming flower head
 
Image:Single Leek Flower Head 2000px.jpg|Closeup of a blooming flower head
 +
Image:Leeks produce-1.jpg|Leeks for sale
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
==See also==
+
==References==
−
*[[List of vegetables]]
+
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
−
*[[Culture of Wales]]
+
<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
 +
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
 +
<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
  
−
== Notes ==
+
==External links==
−
<references/>
+
*{{wplink}}
  
−
==External links==
+
{{stub}}
−
{{commonscat|Allium ampeloprasum porrum}}
+
[[Category:Categorize]]
−
{{Cookbook|Leek}}
 
−
*[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALAM Allium ampeloprasum L.] on US National PLANTS Database
 
−
*[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALPO2 Allium porrum L.] on US National PLANTS Database
 
−
*[http://www.floridata.com/ref/A/alli_amp.cfm Allium ampeloprasum, Porrum] on Floridata
 
−
*[http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Allium+porrum Leek]: Plants For a Future database
 
−
*[http://www.foodmuseum.com/leek.html Food Museum page]
 
−
*[http://www.foodsdatabase.com/LinkedLabel.aspx?FoodId=24458 Nutrition facts]  
 
  
−
[[Category:Allium]]
+
<!--  in order to add all the proper categories, go to http://www.plants.am/wiki/Plant_Categories and copy/paste the contents of the page here, and then follow the easy instructions!    -->
−
[[Category:Leaf vegetables]]
 
−
[[Category:National symbols of Wales]]
 
−
[[Category:Root vegetables]]
 
−
[[Category:Welsh cuisine]]
 
−
[[Category:Welsh mythology]]
 

Latest revision as of 15:20, 16 May 2010


Leeks.JPG


Plant Characteristics
Origin: ✈ ?
Cultivation
Exposure: ☼ ?"?" is not in the list (sun, part-sun, shade, unknown) of allowed values for the "Exposure" property.
Water: ◍ ?"?" is not in the list (wet, moist, moderate, dry, less when dormant) of allowed values for the "Water" property.
Scientific Names

Alliaceae >

Allium >

A. ampeloprasum >

var. ''porrum'' >


The leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum (L.)) is a vegetable belonging, along with the onion and garlic, to the Alliaceae family. Also in this species are two very different vegetables: the elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum), grown for its bulbs, and kurrat, which is grown in Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East for its leaves. The leek is also sometimes classified as Allium porrum (L.).

Read about Leek in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Leek (Allium Porrum), a flat-leaved, bulbous, hardy biennial, is probably a native of the Mediterranean region, where, particularly in Egypt, it has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes since prehistoric time.

Leek, though of the onion family, is differently treated and used. The object in its cultivation is to develop the leaves in such a manner that they become numerous; the flower-stem does not appear before the second year, hence the necessity of growing it to full size the first year. Sow the seed in March in a seed-bed (with slight bottom heat), in drills 2 or 3 inches apart; when large enough, thin out to stand 1 inch apart in the row, as they may attain the thickness of a fair- sized straw. In May or early June the seedlings are transplanted in the open ground; they are then cut half - way down and should also be set deep, so they will begin blanching when they attain a fair size. The soil best suited is a rich, moist, light loam; prior to the transplanting it should be well prepared with well- rotted stable manure, if possible. The plants are generally set in drills 12 to 15 inches apart, and 6 to 9 inches apart in the drills. Shortening both roots and stems is often advised. As the plants grow, the soil should be drawn loosely around the stems and lower leaves to insure blanching. They should be well cultivated, and when growing freely should be earthed up slightly with the hand-cultivator or hand-hoe. Some of the successful gardeners still cultivate them on the celery-trenching system; by this means they can be watered more thoroughly and will attain a much larger size; also can be conveniently left in the trench with slight protection, and taken therefrom for winter use. Care must be taken not to cover too early, as they decay easily, beginning at the end of the foliage; this destroys the appearance. The hardier kinds used for this purpose will blanch yellow down to the so-called stem, which is white to the root. Leeks planted out in May are ready for use in September; the sowings can be made earlier and later to suit the time of maturing, and can be sown in August and September in coldframes and wintered over with slight protection, then transplanted to the open ground in April. The varieties best known to American gardeners are London Flag, Large Musselburgh or Scotch Flag, Giant Carentan, and Large Rouen.

When blanched leeks are not desired, the plants may be cultivated like onions; indeed, except for earthing up, the cultural methods employed for these two crops are identical. Leeks are marketed in bunches like young onions and, for winter use, are stored like celery. As a second crop to follow early cabbage, spinach, and the like, they are in general favor with market-gardeners. In soups and stews the rank odor disappears, leaving a mild and agreeable flavor.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.



Read about Leek in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Allium porrum, Linn. Leek. Stout plant, 2 ft. or more: lvs. very broad and strongly conduplicate or keeled: scape arising the second season; fls. white or blush: bulb simple and scarcely more than an enlargement of the stalk. Eu.CH


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Rather than forming a tight bulb like the onion, the leek produces a long cylinder of bundled leaf sheaths which are generally blanched by pushing soil around them (trenching). They are often sold as small seedlings in flats which are started off early in greenhouses, to be planted out as weather permits. Once established in the garden, leeks are hardy; many varieties can be left in the ground during the winter to be harvested as needed.

Cultivation

Leeks are easy to grow from seed and tolerate standing in the field for an extended harvest. Leeks usually reach maturity in the autumn months, and they have few pest or disease problems. Leeks can be bunched and harvested early when they are about the size of a finger or pencil, or they can be thinned and allowed to grow to a much larger mature size. Hilling leeks can produce better specimens.

Propagation

Do you have propagation info on this plant? Edit this section!

Pests and diseases

Do you have pest and disease info on this plant? Edit this section!

Cultivars

Leek cultivars can be subdivided in several ways, but the most common types are "summer leeks", intended for harvest in the season when planted, and overwintering leeks, meant to be harvested in the spring of the year following planting. Summer leek types are generally smaller than overwintering types; overwintering types are generally more strongly flavored.

Gallery

  • Leek flowers

  • Two blooming flower heads

  • Closeup of a blooming flower head

  • Leeks for sale

References

External links


Retrieved from "http://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?title=Leek&oldid=128274"