Stupid question

I have some seeds that someone gave me and they are labeled pregnant onion seeds. The question I have is are they onion plants. I thought onions came from slips. I know this has to seem stupid to those that know. I thought it might be a flower that I don't know any thing about because the person that sent it ot me knows that I don't really deal with vegatables other than a few tomatoes.

Hey Bobbie pass the dunce hat over here. I think I need to wear it a while. I feel stupid.

oops didn't work I'll try again
Better yet pass me the dunce hat!! I can't make my hyperlink work! sorry about that...I tried :(

This message was edited Monday, May 20th 10:24 AM

Oh, no, GeorgiaRC, don't feel stupid! This is one of those cases where common names get in the way. A pregnant onion is a type of ornamental plant kind of like a ponytail palm. I don't think it's edible, but it looks neat. I've got a couple in a corner of my herb bed that've been there for a couple years. They're getting crowded out and not doing so good, so I think I'll put them in a pot like they're supposed to be kept.

GRC

Don't feel stupid!

Pregnant onion is a common name for two species of Ornithogalum; O longibracteatum and O caudatum

As Wingnut says they are an ornamental plant not an edible one :)

Ornithogalum caudatum
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&lr=lang_en&q=ornithogalum+caudatum

Opps that'll teach me ;) they are one and the same plant O caudatum is the newest name but you might find them under either if you run a search

This message was edited Monday, May 20th 11:12 AM

Yep, that second pic looks just like what mine looked like last year (it's rather sick looking now). Leave it to Baa to save the day with the latin! :-) If I only had half of your knack with that, I'd be a purty smart gal! Say, Baa, do you know if they call it "pregnant" because of the roundness of the bulb or the babies it produces?

I think (don't quote me on this, I may deny all knowledge *G*) that it's called pregnant Onion because of the babies rather than the swelling.

Latin is a very easy language but I think Ornithogalum is from the Greek ;) You don't need a classical language to be smart Wingnut, you knew all about the plant from a word description. I would say that makes you more than smart.

Well I sure thank everyone. I knew someone would have the knowledge that I didn't possess. I just think all of you are smart.

Hey Jim no question is ever stupid. lol Glad ya found your answer.

*We interrupt this programming for an important response*

And now, for a more philosophical answer... *grin*

The only stupid question is the one that never gets asked.

*we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming, already in progress*