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Allium tricoccum Aiton

Wild leek, ramp, spring onion, ramson, wild garlic

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassLiliopsidaMonocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
SubclassLiliidaeIncludes lilies, orchids, and many others
OrderAsparagalesA diverse group that includes asparagus
FamilyAmaryllidaceaeAmaryllis family—plants that grow from bulbs. Includes onions and many others
GenusAlliumOnions, leeks, shallots, garlic, scallions, etc.
Speciestricoccum“Three-seeded”

About plant names...

Wild leeks are European natives, now found in eastern North America.

Identification: With the garlicky smell and an oniony flavor, wild leeks are choice finds for foragers in search of wild edibles. Plants are up to 1½′ (45 cm) tall. Bulbs are oval or conical in shape. Leaves are somewhat grasslike in appearance, 6-12″ (15-30 cm) long and 1¾-4″ (5-10 cm) wide, dull green, with smooth margins and veins parallel to the long dimension. Stems are deep or reddish purple. A hemispherical flowerhead about 1½″ (3.8 cm) across rises on a single smooth stalk above the leaves, and contains about 15-35 ¼″ (6.3 mm) white flowers, each with three petals and three sepals. Glossy black seeds about less than ⅛″ (3.2 mm) in diameter.

Edibility: Bulbs and young leaves may be eaten raw or cooked. Over-enthusiastic picking has significantly reduced their populations, however. If you find a healthy supply of them, you might want to try Salmon with Spring Leeks in a Wild Mushroom Wine Sauce.

Online References:

The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site

Missouriplants.com

Ontario Wildflowers

Illinois Wildflowers

Theforagerpress.com

Validallium tricoccum (Aiton) Small

 

Allium tricoccum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Allium tricoccum (wild leek, ramp, spring onion, ramson, wild garlic)

5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 2 × 1′ (62 × 41 cm)

Allium tricoccum (wild leek, ramp, spring onion, ramson, wild garlic)

5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 2 × 1′ (62 × 41 cm)

Allium tricoccum (wild leek, ramp, spring onion, ramson, wild garlic)

6/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)

Range:

About this map...