Family – Liliaceae
Stems:
Bulb with papery outer coating.
Bulb with coating removed. Arrow shows bulblet.
Leaves:
Base of leaf.
Inflorescence:
Bulblets of inflorescence.
Flowers:
Flowering – May – July.
Habitat – Waste ground, lawns, fields, disturbed sites, thickets, roadsides, railroads.
Origin – Native to Europe.
Other information – This weedy species can be found scattered throughout Alabama and is probably present in nearly every county. The plant can be identified by the following characteristics:
Tubular leaves which occur along the flowering stem.
Flat sided propogative bulblets arising from the main underground bulb.
Flowers being completely or partially replaced by bulblets.
Lilac, tubular flowers, when present.
Early season plants appear as a mass of bright green tubular leaves.
The plant is edible and has a stronger, more bitter flavor than cultivated Garlic.
Allium is the Latin for “Onion” or “Garlic.”
The species epithet vineale derives from the Latin “vine” meaning “wine.” The name means “of vineyards.”
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken off Providence Rd., Columbia, MO., 5-29-04.