In Ky. this weed has been a serious problem for varied crops and forage since early settlement (Gm), as elsewhere in eastern states. Variation within the whole species deserves further study; 2n = 16, 32, 40, 48 (as reviewed at tropicos.org). Records mapped here include forma capsuliferum (as treated by F). The closely related species, A. cepa L., is the diploid progenitor of cultivated shallots (var. aggregatum D. Don) and onions (2n = 16, 32, 54), which are occasionally persistent in gardens but not truly naturalized in Ky. or perhaps anywhere in North America (FNA 26, K). Also allied is A. schoenoprasum L., a complex circumboreal species (native to northern states), including the cultivated chives, which also does not persist in Ky. (2n = 16). All of these species have been associated with Eurasian humans for many millenia, and are known to offer diverse medicinal benefits as well as more simple nutrition; their chemistry includes non-protein sulphur amino acids (mostly cysteine derivatives), flavonoids, phytosterols and saponins (e.g. Stajner et al. 2008, Teshika e tal. 2018, Marrelli et al. 2019). Despite strong taste, toxicity for humans is generally unknown except for some allergies and irritation from raw onions (caused by sulphenic acids and other derivatives of the amino acids). However, domesticated aninals (cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, cats and geese) can be harmed or even killed by excessive consumption (e.g. Crespo & Chin 2004, Aslani et al. 2005, Salgado et al. 2011, Edmands et al. 2013). Cattle grazing on vineale leads to tainted milk and meat, which is unwanted for commercial use (Gm, Defelice 2003). Common wild mammalian herbivores (deer, rabbits, chipmunks and voles) tend to avoid eating Allium plants in general, based especially on horticultural observations.