Validallium tricoccum (Aiton) Small
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Allium tricoccum Aiton Wild leek, ramp, spring onion, ramson, wild garlic
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 Allium tricoccum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.
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5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 2 × 1′ (62 × 41 cm)
5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 2 × 1′ (62 × 41 cm)
6/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) Range:
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