My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

--
Brian
"I know about kittens and knitting. Will that do?"

The message
from "Brian Watson" contains these words:

My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

There are a lot of the Allium genus which have a garlicky taste -
however, I don't know of one called 'Wild Garlic'.

There's Allium ursinum (Ransomes or Wood Garlic) and Allium triquetrum
(Triangular Stalked Garlic). The more common is the former, which has
leaves resembling lily of the valley and flowers rather like small Star
of Bethlehem.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

It doesn't sound like either of the two I've mentioned.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

IMO, no.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

The message
from "Brian Watson" contains these words:

My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

There are a lot of the Allium genus which have a garlicky taste -
however, I don't know of one called 'Wild Garlic'.

There's Allium ursinum (Ransomes or Wood Garlic) and Allium triquetrum
(Triangular Stalked Garlic). The more common is the former, which has
leaves resembling lily of the valley and flowers rather like small Star
of Bethlehem.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

It doesn't sound like either of the two I've mentioned.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

IMO, no.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 07:16:45 -0000, Brian Watson wrote:

My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

I doubt it, nearly, if not all the Alliums have a scent.
There seems to be some confusion over the name "Wild garlic".
I use it to mean Allium ursinum, also known as Ransom.
Note the wide leaves! see he
http://www.offwell.free-online.co.uk...ge/ramsons.htm
It can also be used for A. vineale which is also known as wild onion.
Both have distinct a oniony/garlic/chive scent.

If it doesn't smell like an onion, I wouldn't eat it.

There are frequent cases of poisonings every year in Germany and Austria of
people confusing ransom (Bärlauch) with the leaves of the crocus/meadow
saffron (Colchicum autumnale) and lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis).

--
Tim.

If the human brain were simple enough that we could understand it, we would
be so simple that we couldn't.

In article , Brian Watson
writes
My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

Wild garlic has broad flat leaves, not at all like spring onion, and a
strong smell.

Wild garlic - Ramsons - while in the same genus, Allium, is a totally
different species from cultivated garlic, or, to put it the other way
around, cultivated forms of garlic were bred from a different species of
Allium, not the one that we know as wild garlic (and don't even ask
about hedge garlic ;-) )
--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 07:16:45 -0000, Brian Watson wrote:

My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

I doubt it, nearly, if not all the Alliums have a scent.
There seems to be some confusion over the name "Wild garlic".
I use it to mean Allium ursinum, also known as Ransom.
Note the wide leaves! see he
http://www.offwell.free-online.co.uk...ge/ramsons.htm
It can also be used for A. vineale which is also known as wild onion.
Both have distinct a oniony/garlic/chive scent.

If it doesn't smell like an onion, I wouldn't eat it.

There are frequent cases of poisonings every year in Germany and Austria of
people confusing ransom (Bärlauch) with the leaves of the crocus/meadow
saffron (Colchicum autumnale) and lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis).

--
Tim.

If the human brain were simple enough that we could understand it, we would
be so simple that we couldn't.

In article , Brian Watson
writes
My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

Wild garlic has broad flat leaves, not at all like spring onion, and a
strong smell.

Wild garlic - Ramsons - while in the same genus, Allium, is a totally
different species from cultivated garlic, or, to put it the other way
around, cultivated forms of garlic were bred from a different species of
Allium, not the one that we know as wild garlic (and don't even ask
about hedge garlic ;-) )
--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 07:16:45 -0000, Brian Watson wrote:

My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

It could be that pernicious weed Nothoscordum inodorum. Looks
much like a garlic above ground, but bulbs are very different in
structure and there's no onion-y scent.

If there's a chance this is what it is, start now eradicating
this pest. I suggest that a small nuclear device might be a good
starting place in the process.

--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
[change "atlantic" to "pacific" and
"invalid" to "net" to reply by email]

On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 07:16:45 -0000, Brian Watson wrote:

My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

It could be that pernicious weed Nothoscordum inodorum. Looks
much like a garlic above ground, but bulbs are very different in
structure and there's no onion-y scent.

If there's a chance this is what it is, start now eradicating
this pest. I suggest that a small nuclear device might be a good
starting place in the process.

--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
[change "atlantic" to "pacific" and
"invalid" to "net" to reply by email]

In article , Rodger Whitlock
writes
On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 07:16:45 -0000, Brian Watson wrote:

My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

It could be that pernicious weed Nothoscordum inodorum.

I don't think we get that in the UK!

Looks
much like a garlic above ground, but bulbs are very different in
structure and there's no onion-y scent.

If there's a chance this is what it is, start now eradicating
this pest. I suggest that a small nuclear device might be a good
starting place in the process.


--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

In article , Rodger Whitlock
writes
On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 07:16:45 -0000, Brian Watson wrote:

My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

It could be that pernicious weed Nothoscordum inodorum.

I don't think we get that in the UK!

Looks
much like a garlic above ground, but bulbs are very different in
structure and there's no onion-y scent.

If there's a chance this is what it is, start now eradicating
this pest. I suggest that a small nuclear device might be a good
starting place in the process.


--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

"Tim Challenger" "timothy(dot)challenger(at)apk(dot)at" wrote in message
s.com...
On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 07:16:45 -0000, Brian Watson wrote:

My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump
of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions
but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it
across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a
garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later
in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

I doubt it, nearly, if not all the Alliums have a scent.

snip the rest

Thanks to those who responded. It certainly doesn't seem to be "wild
garlic".

I'll advise her to see what, if any, flowers develop and then decide whether
to dig it up.

--
Brian
"I know about kittens and knitting. Will that do?"

"Tim Challenger" "timothy(dot)challenger(at)apk(dot)at" wrote in message
s.com...
On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 07:16:45 -0000, Brian Watson wrote:

My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump
of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions
but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it
across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a
garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later
in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

I doubt it, nearly, if not all the Alliums have a scent.

snip the rest

Thanks to those who responded. It certainly doesn't seem to be "wild
garlic".

I'll advise her to see what, if any, flowers develop and then decide whether
to dig it up.

--
Brian
"I know about kittens and knitting. Will that do?"

On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 06:43:18 -0000, Brian Watson wrote:

"Tim Challenger" "timothy(dot)challenger(at)apk(dot)at" wrote in message
s.com...
On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 07:16:45 -0000, Brian Watson wrote:

My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump
of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions
but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it
across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a
garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later
in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

I doubt it, nearly, if not all the Alliums have a scent.

snip the rest

Thanks to those who responded. It certainly doesn't seem to be "wild
garlic".

I'll advise her to see what, if any, flowers develop and then decide whether
to dig it up.

That's the best way really. Better be safe than sorry. And it saves untold
embarrassment down in casualty.
Tim.

If the human brain were simple enough that we could understand it, we would
be so simple that we couldn't.

On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 06:43:18 -0000, Brian Watson wrote:

"Tim Challenger" "timothy(dot)challenger(at)apk(dot)at" wrote in message
s.com...
On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 07:16:45 -0000, Brian Watson wrote:

My Mother - generally v knowledgeable in gardening matters - has a clump
of
plants she thinks is wild garlic.

It is growing in her garden in Essex and it now resembles spring onions
but
with none of the distinctive smell. I pulled up a bulb and split it
across
with my thumb nail and it didn't have the distinctive structure of a
garlic
bulb as usually recognised either.

Is it possible this is wild garlic - without features that appear later
in
the year, and then only in cultivated forms?

I doubt it, nearly, if not all the Alliums have a scent.

snip the rest

Thanks to those who responded. It certainly doesn't seem to be "wild
garlic".

I'll advise her to see what, if any, flowers develop and then decide whether
to dig it up.

That's the best way really. Better be safe than sorry. And it saves untold
embarrassment down in casualty.
Tim.

If the human brain were simple enough that we could understand it, we would
be so simple that we couldn't.