View source for Chives

{{short description|Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae}}
{{about|the edible plant common in Western cuisine|the Asian vegetable (garlic chives, Chinese chives)|Allium tuberosum|other uses|Chives (disambiguation)}}
{{stack|

{{Speciesbox
| name = Chives
| image = Allium schoenoprasum - Bombus lapidarius - Tootsi.jpg
| image_alt = Closeup photograph of flowerhead
| image2 = 386 Allium schoenoprasum.jpg
| image2_alt = Botanical illustration
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref>Maxted, N. & Rhodes, L. (2016). ''Allium schoenoprasum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species'' 2016: e.T172256A19391728. {{doi|10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T172256A19391728.en}} Downloaded on 05 January 2019.</ref>
| genus = Allium
| species =  schoenoprasum
| authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
| synonyms_ref = <ref name="powo"/>
| synonyms =
{{collapsible list|bullets = true
|title=<small>Synonymy</small>
|''Cepa schoenoprasa'' <small>(L.) Moench</small>
|''Ascalonicum schoenoprasum'' <small>(L.) P.Renault</small>
|''Allium gredense'' <small>Rivas Goday</small>
|''Porrum schoenoprasum'' <small>(L.) Schur</small>
|''Schoenoprasum vulgare'' <small>Fourr.</small>
|''Allium sibiricum'' <small>L.</small>
|''Allium palustre'' <small>Chaix</small>
|''Allium tenuifolium'' <small>Salisb.</small>
|''Allium foliosum'' <small>Clairv. ex DC.</small>
|''Allium acutum'' <small>Spreng.</small>
|''Allium tenuifolium'' <small>Pohl</small>
|''Cepa tenuifolia'' <small>(Salisb.) Gray</small>
|''Allium reflexum'' <small>F.Dietr.</small>
|''Allium riparium'' <small>Opiz</small>
|''Allium carneum'' <small>Schult. & Schult.f.</small>
|''Allium alpinum'' <small>(DC.) Hegetschw.</small>
|''Allium broteri'' <small>Kunth</small>
|''Allium punctulatum'' <small>Schltdl.</small>
|''Porrum sibiricum'' <small>(L.) Schur</small>
|''Allium buhseanum'' <small>Regel</small>
|''Allium raddeanum'' <small>Regel</small>
|''Allium purpurascens'' <small>Losa</small>
|''Allium idzuense'' <small>H.Hara</small>
|''Allium udinicum'' <small>Antsupova</small>
|''Allium ubinicum'' <small>Kotukhov</small>
}}
}}
}}
'''Chives''', scientific name '''''Allium schoenoprasum''''', is a species of [[flowering plant]] in the family [[Amaryllidaceae]].

A [[perennial]] plant, ''A.&nbsp;schoenoprasum'' is widespread in nature across much of Eurasia and North America. It is the only species of ''Allium'' native to both the [[New World]] and [[Old World]].

The leaves and flowers are edible. Chives are a commonly used [[herb]] and vegetable with a variety of culinary uses. They are also used to repel insects.

== Description ==

Chives are a [[bulb]]-forming [[herbaceous]] perennial plant, growing to {{convert|25|cm|frac=2}} tall.<ref name="tfb">{{Cite book |last=Francis-Baker |first=Tiffany |title=Concise Foraging Guide |date=2021 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing|Bloomsbury]] |isbn=978-1-4729-8474-6 |series=[[The Wildlife Trusts]] |location=London |pages=92}}</ref> The bulbs are slender, conical, {{convert|2–3|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}} long and {{convert|1|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}} broad, and grow in dense clusters from the [[root]]s. The [[Scape (botany)|scapes]] (or stems) are hollow and tubular, up to {{convert|50|cm|abbr=on}} long{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} and {{convert|2–3|mm|abbr=on|frac=16}} across, with a soft texture, although, prior to the emergence of a flower, they may appear stiffer than usual. The grass-like leaves,<ref name="Linford" /> which are shorter than the scapes, are also hollow and tubular, or terete (round in cross-section).

The [[flower]]s are pale purple, and star-shaped with six [[petal]]s, {{convert|1–2|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}} wide, and produced in a dense [[inflorescence]] of 10–30 together; before opening, the inflorescence is surrounded by a papery [[bract]]. The [[seed]]s are produced in a small, three-valved capsule, maturing in summer. The herb flowers from April to May in the southern parts of its habitat zones and in June in the northern parts.<ref>[http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=J270 Allium schoenoprasum factsheet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319144133/http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=J270 |date=2008-03-19 }}, from Kemper center for home gardening, retrieved on June 13, 2006, based on the position of the botanical Garden (Missouri)</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Creasy |first=Rosalind |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JAHQAgAAQBAJ&dq=where+in+world+do+chives+blossom+&pg=PT13 |title=The Edible Flower Garden |date=2012-11-27 |publisher=Tuttle Publishing |isbn=978-1-4629-0617-8 |language=en}}</ref>

Sometimes, the plants found in North America are classified as ''A.&nbsp;schoenoprasum'' [[variety (botany)|var.]] ''sibiricum'', although this is disputed. Differences between specimens are significant. One example was found in northern [[Maine]] growing solitary, instead of in clumps, also exhibiting dingy grey flowers.<ref>{{cite book
 | last = McGary
 | first = Mary Jane
 | year = 2001
 | title = Bulbs of North America: North American Rock Garden Society
 | publisher = Timber Press
 | location = Portland
 | id = 088192511X
 | pages = 28–29
}}</ref>

{{gallery|mode=packed
|Chive seedlings sprouting.jpg|Seedlings
|Chive flower close-up.jpg|Flower with bud
|Allium schoenoprasum W.jpg|Fully open flower
|Allium.schoenoprasum.seeds.jpg|Seeds
}}

=== Similar species ===
Close relatives of chives include [[onion|common onions]], [[garlic]], [[shallot]], [[leek]], [[scallion]],<ref name="Block2010">{{cite book |author=Block, E. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6AB89RHV9ucC |title=Garlic and Other Alliums: The Lore and the Science |publisher=Royal Society of Chemistry |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-85404-190-9}}</ref> and [[Allium chinense|Chinese onion]].<ref name="AN">{{cite web |title=AllergyNet&nbsp;— Allergy Advisor Find |url=http://www.allallergy.net/fapaidfind.cfm?cdeoc=684 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615004222/http://allallergy.net/fapaidfind.cfm?cdeoc=684 |archive-date=June 15, 2010 |access-date=April 14, 2010 |publisher=Allallergy.net}}</ref>

The [[terete]] hollow leaves distinguish the plant from ''[[Allium tuberosum]]'' (garlic chives), which has the leaves flattened and strap-like.

==Taxonomy==
It was formally described by the Swedish botanist [[Carl Linnaeus]] in his seminal publication ''[[Species Plantarum]]'' in 1753.<ref name="powo">{{cite web|title=Allium schoenoprasum L. | url= https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:528823-1 |work=Plants of the World Online | publisher=Kew Science |access-date=4 October 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Alliaceae Allium schoenoprasum L.| url= http://www.ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=528823-1| work= ipni.org |access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref>

The name of the species derives from the [[Greek language|Greek]] σχοίνος, ''skhoínos'' ([[Cyperaceae|sedge]] or rush) and πράσον, ''práson'' ([[leek]]).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://linnaeus.nrm.se/flora/mono/allia/alliu/allisch.html|title=Den virtuella floran: Allium schoenoprasum L. - Gräslök| first= Anna-Lena |last= Anderberg|work=nrm.se}}</ref> Its [[English language|English]] name, chives, derives from the [[French language|French]] word ''cive'', from ''cepa'', the [[Latin]] word for onion.<ref name="hc">{{cite web| url= http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/aa022398.htm| title= Chive Selection and Storage| first= Peggy| last= Trowbridge Filippone| work= About.com Food| access-date= 2006-06-13| archive-date= 2008-09-22| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080922050820/http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/aa022398.htm| url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name="Linford">{{cite book |last1= Linford| first1= Jenny| title=A concise guide to herbs|date=2010|publisher=Parragon|location=Bath|isbn=9781405487993|page=45}}</ref> In the [[Middle Ages]], it was known as 'rush leek'.<ref name="Linford"/>

Several subspecies have been proposed, but are not accepted by [[Plants of the World Online]], {{as of|2021|July|lc=yes}}, which sinks them into two subspecies:
*''Allium schoenoprasum'' subsp. ''gredense'' <small>(Rivas Goday) Rivas Mart., Fern.Gonz. & Sánchez Mata</small><ref name="POWO_953275-1">{{cite web |title=''Allium schoenoprasum'' subsp. ''gredense'' (Rivas Goday) Rivas Mart., Fern.Gonz. & Sánchez Mata |work=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:528823-1  |access-date=2021-07-12 }}</ref>
*''Allium schoenoprasum'' subsp. ''latiorifolium'' <small>(Pau) Rivas Mart., Fern.Gonz. & Sánchez Mata</small><ref name="POWO_953276-1">{{cite web |title=''Allium schoenoprasum'' subsp. ''latiorifolium'' (Pau) Rivas Mart., Fern.Gonz. & Sánchez Mata |work=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:953276-1 |access-date=2021-07-12 }}</ref>
Varieties have also been proposed, including ''A.&nbsp;schoenoprasum'' var. ''sibiricum''. The Flora of North America notes that the species is very variable, and considers recognition of varieties as "unsound".<ref name="FNA">{{Cite web |title=Allium schoenoprasum in Flora of North America @ efloras.org |url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200027528 |access-date=2017-06-18 |website=www.efloras.org}}</ref>

==Distribution and habitat==
[[Native species|Native]] to [[temperate]] areas of Europe, Asia and North America.<ref name="Grin">{{cite web|title=Taxon: Allium schoenoprasum L.|url=https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=2369|publisher=ars-grin.gov|access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |url=http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=296525 |work=kew.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Allium schoenoprasum in Flora of China @ efloras.org |url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200027528 |access-date=2017-06-18 |website=www.efloras.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tardiff |first1=B. |last2=Morisset |first2=P. |year=1990 |title=Clinal morphological variation of ''Allium schoenoprasum'' in eastern North America |journal=Taxon |volume=39 |issue=3 |pages=417–429 |doi=10.2307/1223088 |jstor=1223088}}</ref><ref>[http://luirig.altervista.org/flora/taxa/index1.php?scientific-name=allium+schoenoprasum Altervista Flora Italiana, Erba cipollina, wild chives, Civette, Schnittlauch, ''Allium schoenoprasum'' L.] includes photos, drawings, European distribution map, etc.</ref> chives are the only species of ''Allium'' native to both the [[New World|New]] and the [[Old World]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mushrooms and Egg with Chives |url=https://www.valleytable.com/vt-article/chives |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=www.valleytable.com |date=21 March 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="small">Ernest Small {{google books|iZBFAQAAQBAJ|North American Cornucopia: Top 100 Indigenous Food Plants (2014)|page=230}}</ref><ref name="European">James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) {{Google books|CkxWrDqtWLQC|The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification|page=133}}</ref>
It has a wide natural range across much of the Northern Hemisphere.<ref name="POWO">{{cite POWO |id=528823-1 |title=''Allium schoenoprasum'' L. |access-date=22 September 2024}}</ref>

In Asia it is native from the [[Ural Mountains]] in Russia to [[Kamchatka]] in the far east.<ref name="POWO" /> It grows natively in the Korean peninsula, but only the islands of [[Hokkaido]] and [[Honshu]] in Japan.<ref name="WorldPlants">{{cite web |last1=Hassler |first1=Michael |title=Synonymic Checklist and Distribution of the World Flora. Version 24.9 |url=https://www.worldplants.de/ |website=World Plants |access-date=22 September 2024 |date=19 September 2024}}</ref> Likewise its natural range in China only extends to [[Xinjiang]] and [[Inner Mongolia]], though it is also found in adjacent [[Mongolia]]. It is native to all the nations of the [[Caucasus]]. However, in [[Central Asia]] it is only found in [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]]. To the south its range also extends to [[Afghanistan]], [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Pakistan]], and the [[Western Himalayas]] in India.<ref name="POWO" />

It is native to all parts of Europe with the exception of [[Sicily]], [[Sardinia]], the island of [[Cyprus (island)|Cyprus]], [[Iceland]], [[Crimea]], and [[Hungary]] and other offshore islands. It also is not native to Belgium and Ireland, but it grows there as an introduced plant.<ref name="POWO" />

In North America it is native to Alaska and almost every province of Canada, but has been introduced to the island of [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]]. In the United States the certain native range in the lower 48 is in two separated areas. In the west its range is in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. In the east it extends from Minnesota, eastward through Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Then northward into New York and all of [[New England]].<ref name="POWO" /> The [[Plants of the World Online]] database lists it as introduced to Illinois and Maryland and the USDA [[Natural Resources Conservation Service]] PLANTS database additionally lists it as growing in Nevada, Utah, Missouri, and Virginia without information on if it is native or introduced to those states.<ref name="POWO" /><ref name="USDA">{{cite usda plants|symbol=ALSC |title=Allium schoenoprasum |date=22 September 2024}}</ref>

In other areas of the Americas chives grow as an introduced plant in Mexico, [[Honduras]], [[Costa Rica]], [[Cuba]], [[Jamaica]], [[Hispaniola]], [[Trinidad]], [[Colombia]], [[Bolivia]], and the southern part of Argentina in [[Tierra del Fuego]].<ref name="WorldPlants" />

== Ecology ==
Chives are repulsive to most insects due to their [[sulfur]] compounds, but their flowers attract [[bee]]s, and they are at times kept to increase desired insect life.<ref>Baines, C. Making a Wildlife Garden. 0</ref>

The plant provides a great deal of [[nectar]] for [[pollinators]]. It was rated in the top 10 for most nectar production (nectar per unit cover per year) in a United Kingdom plants survey conducted by the AgriLand project which is supported by the UK Insect Pollinators Initiative.<ref name="Pollinators">{{cite web |date=2014-10-15 |title=Which flowers are the best source of nectar? |url=http://www.conservationgrade.org/2014/10/which_flowers_best_source_nectar/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214024659/http://www.conservationgrade.org/2014/10/which_flowers_best_source_nectar/ |archive-date=2019-12-14 |access-date=2017-10-18 |publisher=Conservation Grade}}</ref>

== Cultivation ==
[[File:Schnittlauch-Feld Bornholm Svaneke 2012-06.jpg|thumb|Field of chives]]
Chives have been cultivated in Europe since the [[Middle Ages]] (from the fifth until the 15th centuries), although their usage dates back 5,000 years.<ref name="hc" />

Chives are cultivated both for their culinary uses and for their ornamental value; the violet flowers are often used in ornamental dry bouquets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flower & Garden Magazine, June-July 1996, The lazy gardener's guide to potpourri |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1082/is_n3_v40/ai_18339595/pg_2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040923001542/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1082/is_n3_v40/ai_18339595/pg_2 |archive-date=2004-09-23 |work=findarticles.com}}</ref>

Chives thrive in well-drained soil, rich in organic matter, with a [[pH]] of 6–7 and full sun.<ref name="mobot">{{cite web |title=Allium schoenoprasum - Plant Finder |url=http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=J270 |publisher=mobot.org |access-date=2006-06-13 |archive-date=2008-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319144133/http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=J270 |url-status=dead }}</ref> They can be grown from seed and mature in summer, or early the following spring. Typically, chives need to be [[germination|germinated]] at a temperature of {{convert|15|to|20|C|F}} and kept moist. They can also be planted under a [[Row cover|cloche]] or germinated indoors in cooler climates, then planted out later. After at least four weeks, the young shoots should be ready to be planted out. They are also easily propagated by division.<ref name="TBC">{{cite book |last=McGee |first=Rose Marie Nichols |title=The Bountiful Container |author2=Stuckey, Maggie |publisher=Workman Publishing |year=2002}}</ref>

In cold regions, chives die back to the underground bulbs in winter, with the new leaves appearing in early spring. Chives starting to look old can be cut back to about 2–5&nbsp;cm. When harvesting, the needed number of stalks should be cut to the base.<ref name="TBC" /> During the growing season, the plant continually regrows leaves, allowing for a continuous harvest.<ref name="TBC" />

Chives are susceptible to damage by [[leek moth]] larvae, which bore into the leaves or bulbs of the plant.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Landry |first=Jean-François |date=June 2007 |title=Taxonomic review of the leek moth genus Acrolepiopsis (Lepidoptera: Acrolepiidae) in North America |journal=The Canadian Entomologist |volume=139 |issue=3 |pages=319–353 |doi=10.4039/n06-098 |issn=1918-3240 |s2cid=86748199}}</ref>

{{nutritional value
| name = Chives, raw
| image = Cocinando.jpg
| caption = Cut chive leaves as used for preparing food
| kJ = 126
| protein = 3.27 g
| fat = 0.73 g
| carbs = 4.35 g
| fiber = 2.5 g
| sugars = 1.85 g
| calcium_mg = 92
| iron_mg = 1.6
| magnesium_mg = 42
| phosphorus_mg = 58
| potassium_mg = 296
| zinc_mg = 0.56
| manganese_mg = 0.373
| vitC_mg = 58.1
| thiamin_mg = 0.078
| riboflavin_mg = 0.115
| niacin_mg = 0.647
| pantothenic_mg = 0.324
| vitB6_mg = 0.138
| folate_ug = 105
| vitA_ug = 218
| betacarotene_ug = 2612
| lutein_ug = 323
| vitE_mg = 0.21
| vitK_ug = 212.7
| source_usda = 1
| note = [https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/169994/nutrients Link to USDA Database entry]
}}

== Uses ==

=== Culinary arts ===
{{Cookbook|Chive}}
{{See|Meitei traditional chives curry}}

Chives are grown for their [[Scape (botany)|scapes]] and leaves, which are used for culinary purposes as a flavoring herb, and provide a somewhat milder onion-like flavor than those of other ''[[Allium]]'' species.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-05-18|title=Chives Vs. Green Onions|url=https://tastessence.com/chives-vs-green-onions|access-date=2021-05-27|website=Tastessence|language=en-US}}</ref> The edible flowers are used in salads,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Durand |first1=Faith |date=23 May 2008 |title=Tip: How to Use Chive Blossoms in Salads and Other Dishes |url=http://www.thekitchn.com/tip-how-to-use-chive-blossoms-51544 |access-date=24 May 2017 |publisher=thekitchn.com}}</ref> or used to make blossom vinegars.<ref>Margaret Roberts {{google books|6jRsF1nOmqgC|Edible & Medicinal Flowers|page=146}}</ref> Both the scapes and the unopened, immature flower buds are diced and used as an ingredient for [[omelette]]s, [[Fish (food)|fish]], [[potato]]es, [[soup]]s, and many other dishes.<ref name="Linford" /> The scapes are often paired with [[cream cheese]].<ref name="The Culinary Institute of America-2011">{{Cite book |last=The Culinary Institute of America |author-link=The Culinary Institute of America |title=The Professional Chef |publisher=[[Wiley (publisher)|Wiley]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-470-42 135-2 |edition=9th |location=Hoboken, New Jersey |page=180}}</ref>

Chives have a wide variety of culinary uses, such as in traditional dishes in France, Sweden, and elsewhere.<ref name="swe">Försök til en Flora Oeconomica Sveciæ by A. J. Retzius (1806)</ref> In his 1806 book ''Attempt at a Flora'' (''Försök til en flora''), [[Anders Jahan Retzius]] describes how chives are used with pancakes, soups, fish, and sandwiches.<ref name="swe" /> They are also an ingredient of the ''[[sour cream|gräddfil]]'' sauce with the traditional [[herring]] dish served at Swedish [[midsummer]] celebrations. The flowers and scapes may also be used to garnish dishes.<ref name="The Culinary Institute of America-2011" /><ref>[http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/allschoenoprasum.htm Allium schoenoprasum], from Mountain valley growers, ''accessed on June 13, 2006''</ref>

In Poland and Germany, chives are served with [[Quark (dairy product)|quark]]. Chives are one of the ''[[fines herbes]]'' of French cuisine, the others being [[tarragon]], [[chervil]] and [[parsley]]. Chives can be found fresh at most markets year-round, making them readily available; they can also be dry-frozen without much impairment to the taste, giving home growers the opportunity to store large quantities harvested from their own gardens.<ref name="hc" />

=== Uses in plant cultivation ===
Retzius also describes how farmers would plant chives between the rocks making up the borders of their flowerbeds, to keep the plants free from pests (such as [[Japanese beetle]]s).<ref name="swe" /><ref name="japanese_beetles">{{cite web|url=http://www.selfsufficientish.com/pests.htm|title=pests – selfsufficientish – pests|author=Andy Hamilton|work=selfsufficientish.com}}</ref> The growing plant repels unwanted insect life, and the juice of the leaves can be used for the same purpose, as well as fighting [[Fungal phytopathogen|fungal infections]], [[mildew]], and [[Fusarium ear blight|scab]].<ref>Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979 {{ISBN|0-87857-262-7}}</ref><ref>Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978 {{ISBN|0-88266-064-0}}</ref><ref>Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 {{ISBN|0-333-47494-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Kaufman |first=Peter B |url=https://archive.org/details/naturalproductsf00kauf_0 |title=Natural Products from Plants |author2=Thomas J Carlson |author3=Kaufman B Kaufman |author4=Harry L Brielmann |author5=Sara Warber |author6=Leland J Cseke |author7=James A Duke |publisher=CRC Press |year=1999 |isbn=9780849331343 |location=[[Boca Raton]] |pages=[https://archive.org/details/naturalproductsf00kauf_0/page/261 261] |id=084933134X |url-access=registration}}</ref>

== In culture ==

In Europe, chives were sometimes referred to as "rush leeks".<ref name="culpeper">[[Nicholas Culpeper]] {{google books|lgBBAQAAMAAJ|Culpeper's Complete Herbal, and English Physician (1826)|page=37}}</ref>

It was mentioned in 80 A.D. by [[Marcus Valerius Martialis]] in his "Epigrams" (13.18 ''porri sectivi''):<ref>Epigrams translated by Walter C.A. Ker, Loeb Classics Library, 1919, v. 2, [https://archive.org/details/epigramswitheng02mart/page/396/mode/2up?view=theater p. 396].</ref>
{{Blockquote|Fila Tarentini graviter redolentia porri<br>Edisti quoties, oscula clausa dato.<br>(After eating the heavily scented threads of Tarentine leek, give your kisses closed.)}}
The Romans believed chives could relieve the pain from [[sunburn]] or a sore throat. They believed eating chives could increase [[blood pressure]] and act as a [[diuretic]].<ref>{{cite book |title= 75 Exceptional Herbs for Your Garden |last= Staub |first= Jack E. |year= 2008 |publisher= Gibbs Smith |isbn= 978-1-4236-0251-4 |page= 54 }}</ref>

[[Romani people|Romani]] have used chives in fortune telling.<ref>[http://www.sallys-place.com/food/columns/gilbert/chives.htm Chives], from "Sally's place", accessed on June 13, 2006</ref> Bunches of dried chives hung around a house were believed to ward off disease and evil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sallys-place.com/food/columns/gilbert/chives.htm|title=Chives|publisher=sallys-place.com}}</ref><ref name=small/>

In the 19th century, [[Netherlands|Dutch]] farmers fed cattle on the herb to give a different taste to their [[milk]].<ref name=small/>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiversity-bc|Allium schoenoprasum}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Allium schoenoprasum}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061016183933/http://www.foodgenius.com/index.cgi?ndb_no=11156&action=nutrition Nutritional Information]
* {{PFAF|Allium schoenoprasum}}
* [http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chives65.html Mrs. Grieve's "A Modern Herbal" @ Botanical.com]
* {{cite EB1911|wstitle=Chive|volume=6|page=253|short=1}}

{{Allium}}
{{Herbs & spices}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q51148}}

[[Category:Allium]]
[[Category:Flora of temperate Asia]]
[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:Flora of Northern America]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants of Asia]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants of Europe]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants of North America]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1753]]