wild garlic

Allium ursinum
 
(Not recorded on the Nature's Calendar survey)

Facts

Why not download our wild garlic fact sheet?

wild garlic fact sheet

• White, starry flowers with pointed petals
  
  
• Up to 20 flowers in a cluster at the top of the stalk 
     
• Grows up to 45cm tall
  
  
• Can form dense carpets, filling the air with the scent of garlic
   

Where found

Deciduous woodlands and hedge banks, in moist soil.
 

When to look for

• Leaves in March
  
  
• Flowers April-June

Fabulous wild garlic facts

• Also called Ramsons
  
  
• Young leaves can be added to soups, sauces and salads
  
  
• The Latin name ‘ursinum’ refers to the brown bear’s taste for the bulbs. They are also a favourite with wild boars
  
  
• Used traditionally throughout Europe as a spring tonic due to its blood-purifying properties, it is also thought to lower cholesterol
  
  
• The leaves were once boiled and the resulting liqid used as a disinfectant
  
  
• A good indicator of ancient woodland