Alpine leek; Allium victorialis var. platyphyllum
A wild allium species native to mountainous regions of Japan and East Asia, also known as ぎょうじゃにんにく. Used as a wild vegetable and in Ainu cuisine.
See also: ぎょうじゃにんにく
Alpine leek is foraged as a wild vegetable and eaten as ohitashi or tempura.
北海道では、アイヌネギを「キトピロ」とも呼ぶ。
In Hokkaido, Alpine leek is also called 'kitopiro'.
Katakana spelling is standard for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling exists but is uncommon; the katakana form is strongly preferred.
Compound of アイヌ (Ainu) and ネギ (leek), referring to its use by the Ainu people. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.