Wild Garlic

Over the last month some of the local woods have been covered with carpets of white and green of the tiny flowers of the Few-flowered Leek, which some people mistake for wild garlic.  Now the Wild Garlic is coming into flower and filling the air with its pungent garlic smell.

The heads of the native Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum) have several little star-like flowers whereas those on the introduced Few-flowered leek (Allium paradoxum) usually have only one or two flowers on long stems and the spear-like leaves are much narrower.(extra)  Most of the flowers are then replaced by little bulbs or bulbils which are easily spread and this has caused it to become so invasive that it is listed as one of the most invasive plants in Britain. It threatens the local biodiversity especially the native spring flower plants such as primroses and moschatel and unfortunately it is difficult to control and is spreading rapidly especially in parts of Scotland.

A common name for the wild garlic is Ramsons and many places in Britain show the importance of the plant in earlier times with ‘Ram’ at the beginning of their name. Ramsey, Ramsbottom, Ramsdell, Ramshope etc.

The leaves and flowers of the Wild Garlic are very good especially eaten raw in salads or making pesto and I always like to collect a few (in places unlikely to be contaminated by animals) but they lose some of their taste if cooked.  This evening I used some mixed with cream cheese as part of a salad and have some in water to add to soup tomorrow.  Food for free.

(FlowerFriday challenge hosted by BikerBear)