Allium vineale Linnaeus (Wild garlic )

 


Leslie J. Mehrhoff,
University of Connecticut

 

 

 

Family: Liliaceae

Synonym(s): Field garlic, Crow garlic

Duration: Perennial

Habit: Forb/Herb


Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0

Description: Wild garlic is a grass-like, bulb-forming perennial plant. It is characterized by round, hollow, slender, erect stems leaves, and a globe-like flower head at the top of each stem. Globe-like flower heads composed of tiny aerial bulblets rather than flowers--the species reproduces by underground and aerial bulblets. When crushed, all parts give off strong garlic odor.

History: Wild garlic arrived in the Americas mixed in soil used for ballast on European ships. Wild garlic was dumped ashore to make room for the return cargo.

Biology & Spread: Basal leaves of wild garlic emerge in early spring. Flowering occurs from May to June. After flowering, the leaves die back, and the flower stems may remain standing through the summer and into fall. Aerial and soft-coated bulblets can germinate the same season they are produced, while hard-coated bulblets remain dormant through the winter and germinate the following spring or within the next 1 to 5 years. Sometimes aerial bulblets germinate in the stem-top clusters while the stems are still standing.

Ecological Threat: Wild garlic is persistent and difficult to control. Aerial bulblets are similar in size to grains and are difficult to separate out of crops contaminated during harvest. The bulblets can give flour a garlic flavor and odor. If wild garlic is used as forage, the resulting meat, milk and eggs can become tainted with a garlic odor and flavor.

US Habitat: Wild garlic is drought tolerant and can grow in a variety of soil types. Wild garlic is common in grain fields, pastures, meadows, lawns, gardens and waste places, as well as along roads, rivers and streams.

Distribution

US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: Wild garlic originated in Europe.

US States: WA, OR, CA, MT, NE, KS, OK, IA, MO, AR, LA, IL, MS, MI, IN, KY, TN, GA, OH, WV, VA, NC, SC, GA, PA, NY, VA, VT, NH, ME, MA, RI, CT, DE, DC, MD, TX

Resembles/Alternatives:

Management: Tilling the soil does not kill wild garlic, food reserves in the bulb reestablish the plant after tillage. In gardens and ornamental settings, cut the garlic below the soil with a hoe or shovel. While this does not kill the plant, it does slow regrowth. Covering patches with plastic or weed barriers can prevent emergence of the species. Several herbicides have been shown to be effective in providing control, including 2,4-D, chlorsulfuron, dicamba, and metsulfuron.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Listing Source

Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station

Text References

Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook. Revised and published annually by the Extension publication offices of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Also available on the web at http://pnwhandbooks.org/weed/.

Data Source

Ohio Perennial and Biennial Weed Guide. The Ohio State University Extension. Available on the web at http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/.

Last Updated: 2014-03-25 by Justin Bush, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center