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Allium vineale L.

Field garlic, wild garlic, crow 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.
SpeciesvinealePertaining to vines, growing in vineyards

About plant names...

Field garlic, native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia, was introduced in Australia and North America, where it has become an invasive species in lawns, pastures, and meadows. Livestock owners don’t like them in part because the strongly garlic-flavored bulbs flavor the milk and meat of grazing livestock.

Identification: Like other members of the Allium (loosely, onion) family, field garlic grows from bulbs, which are ⅜-¾" (1-2 cm) in diameter. The main stem is 12-47" (30-120 cm) tall, with 2-4 tubular, hollow leaves that are ¹/₁₆-⅛" (2-4 mm) thick. The flowerhead is ¾-1¾" (2-5 cm) in diameter, and rather strange-looking. It consists a rounded cluster of tiny bulbs called bulbils—on close examination, the cluster is composed of tiny, outward-pointing bulbs. The cluster is pink or purple in color. Above this cluster may be several small flowers, ¹/₁₆-⅛" (2-5 mm) long, each with six petals, varying from pink to red or greenish-white.

Edibility: Field garlic bulbs, about ½" (1.3 cm) in diameter, taste like strong garlic. Used in modest quantities, they make a delicious addition to dishes that benefit from garlic. Or, you can pickle them.

Online References:

Allium vineale at Illinois Wildflowers

Allium vineale on Missouriplants.com

Allium vineale on Wikipedia

Allium vineale on Missouriplants.com

References:

Peterson, Lee Allen, Peterson Field Guides: Edible Wild Plants of Eastern/Central North America, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977, p. 114

Newcomb, Lawrence, Morrison, Gordon (Illus.), Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, Little, Brown and Company, 1977, p. 348

Allium vineale (field garlic, wild garlic, crow garlic)

7/2/2011 · Mike and Ellen’s, Milford, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 4½ × 3" (11 × 7.9 cm)

Allium vineale (field garlic, wild garlic, crow garlic)

7/5/2010 · Tarrywile Park and Mansion, Danbury, Con­necti­cut
≈ 5 × 3½" (13 × 9.2 cm) ID is uncertain

 

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

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Allium vineale (field garlic, wild garlic, crow garlic)

7/2/2011 · Mike and Ellen’s, Milford, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 4½ × 3" (11 × 7.9 cm)

Allium vineale (field garlic, wild garlic, crow garlic)

7/2/2011 · Mike and Ellen’s, Milford, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm)

Allium vineale (field garlic, wild garlic, crow garlic)

7/2/2011 · Mike and Ellen’s, Milford, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 4½ × 3" (11 × 7.9 cm)

Allium vineale (field garlic, wild garlic, crow garlic)

7/5/2010 · Tarrywile Park and Mansion, Danbury, Con­necti­cut
≈ 4 × 4" (10 × 10 cm) ID is uncertain

Range: Zones 4-9:

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