Definition

Noun 1. A perennial onion plant (Allium fistulosum) native to Asia, cultivated for its long, slender, hollow green leaves and underdeveloped bulbs, primarily used as a green onion or scallion. * This term specifically refers to the plant species and its edible parts, which are harvested primarily for their green stalks rather than a large bulb.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The recipe calls for a bunch of finely chopped welsh onion.
  • Unlike common onions, the welsh onion forms clusters of slender, hollow leaves.
  • She grows welsh onion in her garden to have a fresh supply of green onions.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Context: In botanical or horticultural writing, is used to distinguish from the common bulb onion (). The name "Welsh" is derived from an old German word , meaning "foreign," and does not refer to Wales.
  • The Welsh onion is valued for its hardiness and perennial growth habit.

Variants and Related Words

• Scallion (n): A general term often used interchangeably for the green stalks of the Welsh onion or young common onion plants.
• Green onion (n): A common culinary term for the immature stalks of any onion variety, including the Welsh onion.
• Bunching onion (n): Another name for the Welsh onion, referring to its growth habit of forming clumps.
• Japanese bunching onion (n): A specific name highlighting its prevalence in East Asian cuisine.

Synonyms

• Spring onion (British English, n): Often used synonymously, though it can sometimes refer to a very young common onion.
• Allium fistulosum (n): The scientific Latin name.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning is culinary and botanical. It refers to the specific plant and its use as a vegetable.
• It is important to note that "Welsh onion" is the name of the plant itself, not a preparation or a dish made from it.

Noun

1. Asiatic onion with slender bulbs; used as early green onions