SafePlants

Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum)

Allium ursinum, commonly known as wild garlic, is a flavorful plant with a rich history and culinary appeal. It's a wild relative of chives and a popular ingredient for adventurous home cooks.

Common Names

• Ramsons
• Buckrams
• Broad-leaved garlic
• Wood garlic
• Bear leek
• Bear's garlic
• Devil's garlic
• Gypsy's onions
• Stinking Jenny

Considerations for Pets

• Wild Garlic is from the same plant family as garlic and onions.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Allium ursinum
• Family: Not specified in the text.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to Britain.
• Found in damp woodlands, deciduous woods and forests, fenlands, and near water drainage ditches.
• Prefers moist soils, particularly slightly acidic conditions.
• Grows in many National Trust places across the UK.
• Common in the West Country and the Cotswolds.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Bulbous, perennial plant.
• Spends most of the year as bulbs underground.
• Emerges to flower and leaf from April onwards.
• Produces a haze of white flowers from April to June.
• Identified by its strong scent of garlic, particularly when bruised or crushed.
• Glossy green leaves.

Ecological Role

• Flowers before deciduous trees leaf in the spring.
• Fills the air with a strong garlic scent.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Used to wrap Cornish Yarg cheese, imparting a gentle, garlicky taste.

Culinary Uses

• The leaves are edible and add a garlic flavor to various dishes.
• Used to make pasta sauce, fresh pasta sauce, and pesto.
• Added to spring salads.
• Used in wet and wild garlic risotto.
• Can be preserved.

Quirky Facts

• The place name and English surname Ramsdale are likely derived from Ramsons, a widespread colloquial name for wild garlic.
• Other species exist such as Crow Garlic (Allium vineale) with pinkish/green flowers.

Further Information

• Nature's Calendar: Offers a free fact sheet about wild garlic.
• Amazon: Sells the book "Wild Garlic, Gooseberries and Me: A chef's stories and recipes from the land" by Denis Cotter.
• Sacla: Provides recipe inspiration for wild garlic pesto.
• Riverford: Offers seasonal recipes, including wet & wild garlic risotto.