Garden Onion (Allium cepa 'Super Star')

The garden onion (Allium cepa) in general, and the cultivar ‘Super Star’ specifically, does **not** have a single, easily pinpointed native region. Here’s why:

* **Allium cepa’s Long History of Cultivation:** Onions have been cultivated for thousands of years. This long history of domestication and selection makes it difficult to trace their exact origins back to a single wild ancestor or region.
* **General Consensus on Origin:** The most widely accepted theory is that Allium cepa originated in **Central Asia, specifically the region encompassing Iran, Pakistan, and surrounding areas**.
* **’Super Star’ is a Cultivar:** ‘Super Star’ is a specific *cultivar* of Allium cepa, meaning it’s a selectively bred variety developed by plant breeders. Cultivars are often created and adapted to grow well in specific climates and regions different from the species’ original native area. It’s more appropriate to ask where a specific cultivar grows *well*, not where it is *native*.
* **Adaptability:** Onions are now grown in a wide range of climates around the world.

**In summary:** While *Allium cepa* likely originated in Central Asia, the cultivar ‘Super Star’ is bred for certain traits and is not tied to any single “native” region. Instead, it can be grown successfully in many temperate climates with appropriate growing conditions.