Allium canadense L.

Wild Onion; Meadow Garlic; Canadian Garlic

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Wild Onion is a native perennial bulb in the Onion family (Alliaceae) or sometimes treated in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) as shown here. It occurs throughout Alabama. Wild Onion occurs in lawns, on roadsides, along streams, and in open, usually moist woods. It is a perennial from an ovoid bulb. The bulbs have an outer, fibrous coat that is brown in color. Several bulbs are often clustered together. Each bulb produces 3-6 linear, flat, glabrous leaves with entire margins. The leaves have a strong scent of onion when crushed, and are erect or arching. Each bulb produces (usually) a single scape (flowering stalk). The scape is held stiffly erect and is round in cross section. The scapes are as long as or longer than the leaves. The top of the scape contains 0-12 flowers and numerous ovoid bulbils. Flowers (if present) have 6 white or pink tepals (sepals and petals that are similar and shape and color). The flowers are on filiform pedicels that are longer than the bulbils. The fruit is a capsule with flattened black seed. All parts of Wild Onion are edible, but it has a somewhat stronger flavor than cultivated onions. Consuming large amounts of Wild Onion can cause stomach problems, especially in children. Wild Onion can be planted near other plants to discourage rabbits and deer, which avoid it.--A. Diamond

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Native

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