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wide leek

Allium tricoccum

Wide leeks are tasty plants that grow in the woods. They have long, green leaves and a strong oniony flavor. People love to use them in cooking for their yummy taste!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The wide leek has broad, smooth, and shiny green leaves that typically grow in pairs. These leaves emerge from a reddish-purple base and taper to a point. Its small, star-shaped, whitish-green flowers cluster atop a single stalk.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyAmaryllidaceaeGenusAllium
wide leek
aromatic trait badgedeciduous trait badgegrasslike trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
wide leek

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Finding wide leeks is a great sign of a healthy, undisturbed forest floor.

It contains unique sulfur compounds, making it related to garlic and onions.

Its broad leaves often disappear before its flowers even bloom!

This plant is sometimes called 'ramps,' especially in certain regions!

Special abilities

Ability

Spring's First Feast

Wide leek can sprout very early, getting sunlight before forest trees grow leaves to survive and thrive.

Ability

Pungent Protection

It has a strong onion-garlic smell that helps deter some hungry animals from taking a bite.

Ability

Underground Network

Wide leek can grow new plants from its underground bulbs, creating patches of many leeks.

Measurements & details

Height
20-50 cm
Spread
10-20 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eats

Human

Homo sapiens

Leaves and bulbs are a popular wild food.

eaten by

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Deer browse on the leaves, especially when young.

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Bees visit the flowers to collect nectar and pollen.

Traits

Also known as

Ramps

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before picking or eating wild plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is wide leek?

20-50 cm

How wide does wide leek spread?

10-20 cm

How big are the flowers on wide leek?

0.5-1 cm

When does wide leek bloom?

Late spring to early summer

Is wide leek edible?

Yes

Is wide leek toxic?

None

What is wide leek's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is wide leek pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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