Allium ursinum

Allium ursinum, also known as wild garlic, ramsons, buckrams, broad-leaved garlic, wood garlic, bear leek, or bear's garlic, is a bulbous perennial flowering plant in the amaryllis family Amaryllidaceae. It is native to Europe and Asia, where it thrives in moist woodland environments.

Description

Allium ursinum is a bulbous, perennial plant, with a height of 20–50 cm. The leaves are edible and have a strong garlic scent. The flowers are star-like, white, and appear in May and June.

Distribution and habitat

Allium ursinum is widespread across most of Europe. It grows in deciduous woodlands with moist soils, preferring slightly acidic conditions.

Culinary uses

The leaves of Allium ursinum are edible and can be used as salad, herb, boiled as a vegetable, in soup, or as an ingredient for a sauce. The bulbs and flowers are also edible.

Medicinal uses

In herbal medicine, Allium ursinum leaves have been used as part of a diet to treat high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Cultivation

Allium ursinum is easy to grow from bulb offsets, and may also be propagated by seed. It prefers a damp, shady environment and a rich soil.

See also

• Allium
• List of Allium species