Wild Leek Allium tricoccum

Ramps are a spring ephemeral species that is native to rich, moist, deciduous forests and bottoms of eastern North America, from Quebec to Georgia and west to Minnesota. In NC they are native to the mountains. Ramps are one of the earliest edible plants to emerge from the ground in the spring and have a distinct strong garlic/onion fragrance so do not be confused by the poisonous look-a-likes Convallaria majalis or Veratrum spp.

They grow from a conical bulb and in spring 2-3 leaves on purplish stems unfurl that are tulip-like in shape. Just as the leaves begin to die back a cluster of many small white flowers appear on a leafless stem. Each flower produces a single black seed that may take 2 years to germinate. The plant also spreads by bulblet formation. 

This plant is celebrated at many annual spring ramps festivals throughout the mountains of the eastern U.S. and other areas. Its taste is very pungent and it can be used sparingly. 

They are best grown in shady areas with damp soil throughout the year and highly organic soil with plenty of decomposed leaf litter. They do well under deciduous trees where they can get some sun until the trees leaf out. They tolerate full to partial shade and medium-wet to medium-dry soil. Plant bulbs about 3 inches deep.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Bulb rot can occur in too wet soils. Bulb mites can occur.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.