There are a number of wild plants, including Allium canadense or meadow garlic that appear in the late spring in Connecticut. Meadow garlic can also be found from Texas to Florida, and from New Brunswick to Montana. It is edible with a relatively mild taste. Unless you are absolutely sure, never forage for wild plants.
About Allium canadense
Onions and garlic belong to the Lily family. Meadow garlic resembles chives as it has narrow, grass-like leaves that originate at the base of the stem. The plant has a strong onion odor and taste. The flowers have a dome shape cluster of star-shaped pink or white flowers. The flowers can be replaced, partially or entirely by bulbs. This plant typically flowers in May and June and is pollinated by American bees, not honey bees. The bulb is covered with a dense skin of brown fibers and is edible.
Medicinal Uses
The Cherokee used a decoction of this plant as a diuretic and as an ear medicine to remove deafness. A tincture was given to children to prevent worms and colic. The Mahuna rubbed the body with this plant to prevent insect and snake bites. Tea was made from the bulbs to control coughs and vomiting. These plants were eaten raw as vegetables by most Native American communities, and bulbs were boiled or roasted; they were also added to soups and stews.
Did You Know...
There are many bulb-forming plants that resemble wild onions, some are toxic. Only harvest plants with the distinct odor of onions. The chopped green leaves can be used like chives and the bulbs are cooked like any other onions.
In addition to Meadow garlic, other names for Allium canadense are Canada onion, wild garlic, and wild onion.
Allium is the Latin name for onion.
Allium canadense in large amounts can be toxic to cattle.
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