Wild Garlic, a plant in the onion family,, occurs mostly in the lower part of the southern peninsula in moist, rich forests like floodplains. It also occurs in wet meadows. If planted in the shade, it is less likely to flower and will instead produce bulblet on the flower stalk. These can be placed in the soil and a new plant will grow. Michigan Flora mentions that the Michigan genotype of this plant tends to make less flowers than other locations.
Interestingly, according to Illinois Wildflowers, there are a lot of insects with “onion” in their common name that use these plants, plus lots of bees.
This will be one of the first green plants to emerge in the spring.
I don’t currently have photos of this plant, but if you click below on the Michigan Flora link, you can view photos there.
Wild Garlic (Allium canadense)
Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution (and flowers): Wild Garlic
Height: 18”
Bloom time: June-July
Soil: loamy, medium to dry
Sun: full sun to shade
Plant spacing: 6-12”
Flower: white to pink
Life cycle: perennial
Family: Alliaceae
Seed source: Great Lakes area
Wild Garlic, a plant in the onion family,, occurs mostly in the lower part of the southern peninsula in moist, rich forests like floodplains. It also occurs in wet meadows. If planted in the shade, it is less likely to flower and will instead produce bulblet on the flower stalk. These can be placed in the soil and a new plant will grow. Michigan Flora mentions that the Michigan genotype of this plant tends to make less flowers than other locations.
Interestingly, according to Illinois Wildflowers, there are a lot of insects with “onion” in their common name that use these plants, plus lots of bees.
This will be one of the first green plants to emerge in the spring.
I don’t currently have photos of this plant, but if you click below on the Michigan Flora link, you can view photos there.
Wild Garlic (Allium canadense)
Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution (and flowers): Wild Garlic
Height: 18”
Bloom time: June-July
Soil: loamy, medium to dry
Sun: full sun to shade
Plant spacing: 6-12”
Flower: white to pink
Life cycle: perennial
Family: Alliaceae
Seed source: Great Lakes area
