Elephant Garlic Allium ampeloprasum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Allium baeticum
- Allium rotundum
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-ee-um am-pel-oh-PRAY-sum
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Wild leek is a large genus of about 400 species. They are biennial bulbs in the Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis) family native to Southern Europe, Asia, and Macronesia but are found all over the world. The genus is divided into three different groups: Porrum Group is leeks grown for the edible stems. Ampeloprassum Group is elephant garlic and levant garlic. Kurrat Group is also known as Egyptian Leek or Salad Leek but grown mainly for the leaves.
Plant in the full sun in high organic matter, consistently moist, well-drained loamy soils in the edible garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Onion maggots and thrips are occasional pests and slugs can cause damage to young seedlings. Rust, mildew, and leaf spot are occasional problems. Rot can occur in overly moist or poorly drained soils.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Giant Musselburgh'
- 'Giant Musselburgh'
- 'Giant Musselburgh'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Giant Musselburgh'
- 'Giant Musselburgh'
- 'Giant Musselburgh'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Allium
- Species:
- ampeloprasum
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial
- Bulb
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Macronesia, Mediterranean, Asia
- Edibility:
- Flowers have a mildly bitter flavor and like young leaves can be eaten in small quantities raw in salads and sandwiches or cooked in tea and soups. Bulbs and stems can also be eaten raw or cooked. However, the plant also has poisonous characteristics as noted in the "Poisonous to Humans" section of this record. Toxicity can depend on the age of the person or animal, the age of the plant, the part of the plant ingested, how much is ingested, whether the person or animal has sensitivities or allergies, whether it's eaten raw or cooked, and so forth. Consult with a medical professional for further details.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Cool Season Vegetable
- Edible
- Poisonous
- Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Clusters of small flowers bloom seasonally second-year only. Color varies as to species.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaf varies as to species. Generally linear in shape with entire margins and green color.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- White
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Thick tasty edible stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Voles
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
