Wild Garlic

(Allium canadense)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: National Wetlands Research Center, U.S. Department of the Interior

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Wild Garlic (Allium canadense L.)

Identification: Flowers in a globular cluster, white or pink, mixed with small bulbets. Flowers may be absent and replaced with bulblets with long tails. Base of flower cluster with two bracts (spathe). Leaves not hollow, flattened near the base. Leaves do not ascend the flowering stem. Plant 8 to 24 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout eastern and central North America.

Habitat: Wild Garlic is found in meadows and other openings in woods. The species is sometimes found along roadsides.

Flowering period: May to July.

Similar Species: Wild Garlic is most likely to be confused with Field Garlic. The leaves of Field Garlic are hollow and ascend the flowering stem. The spathe (bracts below the flower cluster) are two-parted.

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