Sea-Onion Ornithogalum caudatum
LATIN NAME: ORNITHOGALUM CAUDATUM
COMMON NAME: Sea Onion
The sea onion towers the broad, strap-shaped leaves with the dense cluster of the small, white, green-striped flowers through the late spring, the huge, pale bulb sitting above the soil, and the whole plant carrying the curious, succulent look of the old windowsill bulbs. The bulb grows large and long-lived, and the flowers rise on the tall, sturdy stalk. The plant has served the old remedies for the ages, and it rewards the grower with the endless, undemanding growth. It likes the bright light, and the gritty, well-drained soil.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
The sea onion holds a curious place in the studies of the bulbous plants and the old medicinal bulbs, and the large, long-lived bulb has kept the botanists interested for the ages. The research covers the bulb chemistry and the way the plant stores the water, along with the seed biology, while the chemists have studied the cardiac glycosides. The collectors of the old windowsill plants keep the species in their catalogues, and the undemanding growth makes it a patient favourite.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
On the bright windowsill or in the conservatory, the sea onion keeps the interest for the decades. The huge, pale bulb and the tall flower stalk give the plant its curiosity, the old herbal uses give it the long history, and the flowers draw the passing insects. It asks for the little care and grows well in the gritty, well-drained pot in the bright light. Patient, generous and endlessly long-lived.
The sea onion seeds germinate in a sandy, gritty mix kept warm and bright. The seedlings come through within a few weeks, and they grow on slowly at first. Keep them in the bright light with the sharp drainage, and let the soil dry a little between the waterings. The young bulbs form in the first season, and the huge, long-lived bulb builds with the years. The flower stalk comes once the bulb is big enough.
To grow the sea onion from seed, sow the large, black seeds sparingly into the deep tray of sandy, gritty mix, then cover them lightly, keep the tray in the warm, bright spot and water gently. The seedlings break through within a few weeks, and they grow on slowly at first. Grow the young bulbs in the gritty, well-drained pot, and the huge bulb will tower on the windowsill over the years.
Uses: Medicinal
A fascinating onion-like medicinal herb for sunny windows. Known as the regnant onion for bulges develop on its sides where eventually baby bulbs burst through the skin. Juice of the leaves is claimed to be as effective as aloe vera in treating cuts and sores.