What are the Different Types of Shallots? Scientifically known as Allium cepa or Allium ascalonicum, Shallots belong to the Amaryllidaceae family and are related to the Lily family and onions. There are the French Grey Shallots(Ascium ascalonicum) which are considered to be the true shallots. They are the yellow shallots such as the Griselle and yellow shallot.