Leek is a biennial herb, which can produce plump and tender pseudostems (scallion), also known as flat onion, flat leaf onion and garlic seedling. Buds, bulbs, pseudostems and flower buds can be fried, made into soup or used as seasoning.

Leek is native to south-central Europe. Europe was cultivated in ancient Greece and Rome, but it was introduced to China in 1930s. Some provinces and regions cultivate sporadically, while Guangxi cultivates for a long time, mostly with garlic seedlings instead.