Allium nigrum L. is a tertiary wild relative of a number of crops in the allium group, including onion (A. cepa L.), Welsh onion (A. fistulosum L.), leek (A. porrum L.), garlic (A. sativum L.) and chives (A. schoenoprasum L.).

European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)

Allium nigrum is regionally assessed as Least Concern because it is relatively widely distributed in Europe and grows in disturbed sites such as abandoned crop fields and wastelands. There is however little information available about the national distribution of this species and the population size and trend is unknown. Therefore, further data should be gathered for re-evaluation in the future and national level monitoring should be implemented.

A. nigrum is native to southeastern and southwestern Europe, western Asia and northern Africa (Govaerts et al. 2005–2007, USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program 2010). In Cyprus the species has been recorded near Aslanköy, near Değirmenlik, Çanlibel, Geçitköy and Alsancak (Viney 1994). In France it occurs within eight departments to the south: Charente-Maritime, Gironde, Dordogne, Lot-et-Garonne, Gers, Aude, Hérault and Bouches-du-Rhône; it also occurs in two departments (Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin) in the northeast and one department (Ain) in the east of the country (Association Tela Botanica 2000–2010). According to Govaerts et al. (2005–2007), this species occurs in Corsica; however, according to Association Tela Botanica (2000–2010) it is only native to mainland France.

Further research is needed to gather information about the population size and trend of this species.

A. nigrum occurs in abandoned crop fields and dry grasslands. For example, in Cyprus the species grows in cornfields and wasteland; flowering between March and April (Viney 1994).

Hybridization with related wild species may pose a threat.

A. nigrum is a tertiary wild relative of and potential gene donor to a number of crops in the allium group, including onion (A. cepa), Welsh onion (A. fistulosum), leek (A. porrum), garlic (A. sativum) and chives (A. schoenoprasum). It is also used as an ornamental (USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program 2010).

In France, this species is protected at a regional level in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Association Tela Botanica 2000–2010). It occurs in in several protected areas in Spain—it is recommended that the monitoring and management of this species is incorporated into the existing management plans of these sites.

EURISCO reports only one germplasm accession of A. nigrum held in a European genebank; however, it is not reported to be of wild or weedy origin (EURISCO Catalogue 2010). Germplasm collection and duplicated ex situ storage is a priority for this species.