It comes from Mesopotamia. It belongs to the family Liliaceae and to the genus Allium.
It consists of numerous small roots that are attached to the bulb, which is membranous, white and elongated. It has green leaves, flat, long, lanceolate and open upwards and racemic inflorescences with white or pink flowers. Both the bulb and leaves are the edible parts of the crop and are rich in water, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
The main exporting countries are Belgium, the Netherlands and France.
