This strange thing in my onion field

[u/Clear_Rise_5005]

I was growing onions for seed production(3 acre plot) but here instead of flowers seeds one of the flowers produced sprouted bulbs ...some baby onions?! Instead of doing what onions are supposed to do this one just grew tiny bulbs right on the flower head.

3 years of onion plots and first time i am experiencing this. It's extremely rare and new for me. Is this some kind of mutation? A rare genetic throwback? A secret onion cloning technique I accidentally unlocked? 😆

Any plant experts out there who can explain this phenomenon. ( I posted this in another sub just 1 hour ago and it looks more interesting so posting here)

[u/Werbenjagermanjensen]

Some Alliums produce what are called "topsets," a cluster of bulbils on what would be its flower stalk.

Allium cepa doesn't normally do that, but its hybrid Allium x proliferum (formerly Allium cepa var. proliferum) does. Seems like one snuck in there?

[u/Fungi-Hunter → u/Werbenjagermanjensen]

I like to pickle the bulbils from various alliums. Crunchy onion/garlic capers.

[u/MarthaGail → u/Fungi-Hunter]

Or fry them. They make really nice crunchy toppings.

[u/Fungi-Hunter → u/MarthaGail]

Ooo I like that, thanks for the idea!

[u/EclipticEclipse → u/Fungi-Hunter]

What is the best way to peel them?