Description

Spring ephemeral *MAY BE DORMANT*

Key Information:

Soil: Mesic (Medium)
Sun: Shade
Height: 6-12″
Color: White
Blooms: June-July

More Details:

Suggested Uses:  Wild Leeks are a spring ephemeral that is most often found in woods in deep shade.  A great addition to a woodland garden and a great addition to your kitchen.  They have broader leaves than many other Allium species.

Native Range: U.S.: Native to the Midwest and the Northeast. Minnesota: Native to most of the state.

Pollinators:  Bees and syrphid flies.

Flowers: The 1/4″ flowers have 3 sepals 3 petals, both are hairless. They have 6 stamens, one stile and superior ovaries.

Leaves: Each plant has two to three 8-12″ lance-shaped to elliptical basal leaves. Leaves wither before the flowers bloom. Leaves are significantly wider than many other native Allium species.

Interesting Facts:

Food Uses: Highly prized, this delicacy has been over-collected for culinary purposes for the restaurant industry as well as use in home kitchens and their numbers are in serious decline in many parts of the country. The whole plant is edible, but the bulb is the most useful. It can be used like any other onion – raw, cooked, pickled, etc.

Name: Allium is the ancient Latin name for garlic.

Other Names: Ramps

More Information: USDA plant profile