Allium cepa, commonly known as the onion, is a biennial plant in the genus Allium, whose edible bulb is widely cultivated around the world. The plant produces a small white flower and a swollen edible bulb that is used as a vegetable and a flavoring in many cuisines. The word "onion" is derived from the Latin word unio, referring to the plant's single bulb, although a related word in Latin, unio, normally means "pearl" (unrelated to the plant). Allium cepa is known as בצל (beṣal) in Hebrew, cebolla in Spanish, oignon in French, and Zwiebel in German. The plant has been cultivated for over 5,000 years and was one of the earliest cultivated crops. It is a key ingredient in many dishes due to its sharp, pungent flavor, which mellows and sweetens with cooking. Onions are also known for their health benefits, including being rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Bulbous vegetable grown for food
The onion, also known as the bulb onion or common onion, is a vegetable that is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. The shallot is a botanical variety of the onion which was classified as a separate species until 2011. The onion's close relatives include garlic, scallion, leek, and chives.