How to Identify Wild Garlic

Wild garlic grows commonly in the eastern and central United States. The plant may look like small weeds, but when you examine wild garlic closely, it will have distinguishable characteristics. The perennial herb can reach up to 24-inches high. People often harvest it for its flavor and strong odor. Leeks, ramps and other wild plants are often confused for wild garlic.

Instructions

1. Inspect the leaves of the plant. Wild garlic plants have round and flat leaves that emerge from the bulb. The leaves often range from 6- to 24-inches.

2. Smell the plant. Wild garlic has an onion or garlic scent that you will not confuse with any other type of smell.

3. Pull the plants out of the ground. The roots have an oval shape and a papery exterior. Sometimes smaller bulbs will grow off the larger bulb. Small roots are attached to the bottom of the bulbs.

4. Look for small bell-shaped flowers on the wild garlic. The flowers grow in clusters on a long stem. The flowers can be white, pink or green. Oval-shaped bulblets will replace the flowers later in the season.

Tips & Warnings

• Rinse the wild garlic with warm water to remove all dirt and debris. Cut the fibrous roots off the plants before you consume them. If you have trouble identifying wild garlic, consult your local horticulturist or garden specialist.

• Wild garlic is only safe to consume if it does not contain pesticides.

References

• The Kitchn; Wild Allium; Regina Yunghans; May 2010
• Virginia Tech University: Wild Garlic
• The University of Georgia; Wild Garlic Control in Turfgrass; Tim R. Murphy, et al.
• University of New Hampshire; Wild Garlic; January 1998