Focus on Herbs : Wild Garlic

Family : Liliaceae

Latin Name : Allium Ursinum.

Local Names : Wild Garlic, Ramsons, Bears Garlic.


(Copyright, Z Searchfield)

Properties/Uses : Edible, Antiseptic, Vermifuge, Diuretic,Cholagogue, Hypotensive, Biocatalyst.

A usefull garlic flavor salad vegetable. Both the broad leaves and the bulbs are edible, although they can only be dug with the landowners permission.

The leaves are used as an alternative wrapping for Cornish Yarg cheese.

Habitat : An early spring woodland plant.

Cultivation : Easy, the bulbs will divide themselves once planted. They grow readily from seed, taking a few years to reach maturity.

(sources : Wild Herbs, a field guide, De Sloover & Goosens. Z. Searchfield.)

 

I know it well Ziggy. The island is running alive with it! When the hedges and banks are being cut here the smell is sooooo strong.

 

Interesting .. I grow Wild Garlic but Tulbaghia violacea which loves the dry heat here.

http://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0PDodtHKfpODgcAqwVNBQx.?p=tulbaghia%20violacea&fr=my-myy&ei=utf-8&n=30&x=wrt&fr2=sg-gac&sado=1

I also grow another Garlic my Sis sent me that looks like Chives and is used like Chives but doesn't like the heat so much so I grow it in the shade with the Chives and Mint ... however, I can't remember what it is ...

 

Wild garlic leaves also liven up nettle soup nicely. The two flavours, in my opinion, complement each other perfectly

 

Sounds like Sand leek, Allium Scorodoprasum.

Your link to the Tulbaghia didn't work for me, I hope you don't mind me adding another one Victoria

Tulbaghia violacea

 

Oh, sorry, Zig, my link did work when I posted as I previewed but I've had a few glitches tonight so thanks for correcting.

You could be right with what Sis sent but I would have to check with her.

 

I have that book, bought with a few similar ones from a 2nd hand shop in Pembrokeshire, still had the loose key to symbols used in it:

 

Nice one Scrunge, I too got them reduced, think they are out of print now. Got 3 others in the series, mushrooms, poisonous plants & mountain flowers.

 

Hey Ziggy Im interested in the book about poisonous plants as my mother in law rang last night & asked if she could stay for a few days last time she came a few days lasted a month I might be able to make her some herbal tea from your book ( only kidding the witch would be able to tell )

 

I've never cooked with this plant but would like to try it in a stir fry.

While out walking I've touched a torn leaf edge to my tongue and the flavour stayed in my mouth for hours. Which I didn't actually enjoy very much so I think it's better cooked!

 

Hi Mick,

Have you seen this thread?

http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/general-gardening-discussion/678-poisonous-plants-summary.html

I'm going to photograph lots more herbs this season & carry on with the herb guides, just ran out of pics.

Wild Garlic is just starting to show around here

 

Wild garlic leaves chopped finely and added to mashed potato...yum!

 

This is the best time of year. When else can you collect wild garlic leaves, fresh, and use them the same day for a flavour that you just can't get from garlic bulbs. And the rich, bold colour and fragrance it adds to rice dishes. Hmmm, superb.

 

tastes nice in your own baked bread

 

have you got a fool proof recipe i could use loveweeds please,i meant to try and jamie olivers simple bread bake recipe but im not really a jamie fan