Is this wild garlic?

dharm999

The woods where we walk our dogs has lots of this plant, gives off a garlic scent, and when you tear a leaf it smells of garlic, so I’m thinking it’s wild garlic, but being cautious I thought I would ask here if it is.  If it is, can you eat the flowers as well as the leaves?

Thanks

rceebear

The top photo with the broader leaves is wild garlic but the bottom one looks to be something else. Look up 3 cornered leek and few flowered leek, also smell of garlic.

Be careful when picking as other species often grow amongst them, including ones that aren’t safe to eat. As long as you pay attention to the individual leaf shape/colour/smell you’ll be fine. Just don’t go grabbing clumps at a time. 

inthedepthsofthesea

Probably goes without saying, but make sure you wash it well too. It makes a good pesto.

Keep_pedalling

The second species is Allium paradoxum Few Flowered Leek. It is an invasive species from Asia. It is also edible. 

dharm999

Thanks, will pick some next time we walk by, and have a go at making some pesto.  Can you eat the wild garlic leaves steamed, like spinach?

rceebear

Yes fine cooked but not as garlicky when cooked. Perhaps best just lightly wilted. Helps preserve the goodness too. Enjoy!

fatbelly

Top one is wild garlic.

Sometimes confused with lily of the valley, which is toxic

twopenny

Beware of the dogs rolling in it.

Mine rolled in fox doodo then the garlic.

The smell in the car was **********

Dustyevsky

twopenny said:

Beware of the dogs rolling in it.

Beware of planting some in the garden. It travels!

Confusedlad

According to PlantNet app the top picture is wild garlic (85% chance) & your second is "few flowered garlic" (90% chance) . See screenshots below, in reverse order. Great app!

Sapindus

Yes you can eat the flowers of wild garlic.  They taste a bit like garlic flavoured honey.