ExplorePlants

field garlic

Allium oleraceum

Field garlic is a wild plant that grows in fields and meadows. It has long green leaves and small white flowers that smell like garlic. People often find it in grassy areas where it can grow freely.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The field garlic has slender, grass-like leaves and a solid stem topped with a globe-shaped cluster of small, bell-shaped flowers. These flowers range from pinkish-purple to white and are often mixed with tiny, green or purplish aerial bulblets, making it distinct from true wild grasses.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyAmaryllidaceaeGenusAllium
field garlic
aromatic trait badgeflowering trait badgegrasslike trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
field garlic

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Did you know that crushing its leaves releases a strong garlicky perfume? Wow!

Its underground bulb can stay alive for years, patiently waiting for the perfect time to grow. Wow!

Some butterflies and bees love sipping sweet nectar from its pretty, tiny flowers. Wow!

You can find this wild garlic growing in many countries, from Europe to North America! Wow!

Special abilities

Ability

Air Babies!

Field garlic can grow tiny 'baby bulbs' (bulbils) on its flower stalk that fall off and sprout new plants, helping it spread easily.

Ability

Stinky Shield!

Field garlic has powerful oniony-garlicky smells when crushed, which helps it warn away hungry animals from munching on it.

Measurements & details

Height
30-90 cm
Spread
10-20 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

visits flowers for nectar

eaten by

green peach aphid

Myzus persicae

sucks sap from leaves

pollinates

buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

collects pollen and nectar

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always check with an adult before picking or eating any wild plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is field garlic?

30-90 cm

How wide does field garlic spread?

10-20 cm

How big are the flowers on field garlic?

0.5-1 cm

When does field garlic bloom?

Summer

Is field garlic edible?

Yes

Is field garlic toxic?

None

What is field garlic's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is field garlic pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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