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meadow garlic

Scientific Name: Allium canadense

Family: Liliaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: ME (wild garlic), NH (wild garlic), VT (wild garli

       

Allium canadense: Meadow Garlic

Allium canadense, commonly known as meadow garlic, Canada onion, Canadian garlic, wild garlic, or wild onion, is a perennial plant with a rich history and distribution across North America. This versatile plant has garnered attention for its culinary uses and ecological presence.

Considerations for Pets

  • Allium canadense grows from a bulb.
  • The plant features sparse, grass-like leaves.

Scientific Classification

  • Scientific Name: Allium canadense L.
  • Common Names: Meadow garlic, Canada onion, Canadian garlic, wild garlic, wild onion, meadow leek, rose leek.
  • Family: Liliaceae
  • Order: Liliales
  • Synonyms: Allium canadense also appears as Allium canadensis (misspelling), but this is not a valid synonym.
  • Subspecies: Includes subspecies such as Allium canadense var. canadense and Allium canadense var. hyacinthoides.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to eastern North America.
  • Found throughout New England, but considered rare in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, representing its northern range limit.
  • Prefers moist, open land.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Perennial plant growing from a bulb.
  • Reaches a height of approximately 0.5 meters (1 ft 8 in) and a spread of 0.2 meters (0 ft 8 in).
  • Features a sparse cluster of grass-like leaves.
  • Produces an 8-12 inch flowering stalk.
  • Showy clusters of light pink (sometimes white) flowers.
  • Flowers bloom from May to June.

Quirky Facts

  • The aroma of Allium canadense is a key identifier. Crushing the leaves or bulb releases a familiar garlic/onion scent.

Ecological Role

  • Several sub-species exist, indicating a complex and widespread presence.

Reproduction

  • Reproduces both sexually and asexually.

Traditional Uses

  • Historically, Native American tribes utilized Allium canadense.
  • This species shares medicinal properties with garlic, but is considered milder.

Cultivation

  • Hardy to zone (UK) 4 and not frost tender.
  • Considered relatively easy to cultivate.
  • Prefers sun or part-sun and medium moisture levels.