HPIPM:Wild garlic

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Superorder	Lilianae
Order	Asparagales
Family	Amaryllidaceae
Genus	Allium

Scientific Name

Allium vineale

Common Name

wild garlic

Wild garlic (Allium vineale)

Compiled by Melissa Graves, Montana State University, and Marjolein Schat, Cornell University, from the following sources:

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALVI

http://na.fs.fed.us/FHP/INVASIVE_PLANTS/weeds/wild-garlic.pdf

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/pnw/pnw444.pdf

http://www.weedalert.com/weed_pages/wa_wild_garlic.htm

Identification and Life Cycle

Wild garlic (Allium vineale), also called field garlic, crow garlic, scallions, and wild onion, is a perennial plant in the lily (Liliaceae) family. Wild garlic has bright green tubular leaves that arise from an underground bulb in spring. Leaves are 8 to 12 inches in height. In mid to late summer a few main stalks enlarge and produce flowers, which form above smooth, oval aerial bulblets. The flowers are tubular and greenish-white to lavender. Seeds are black, flat on one side, and 1/8 inch long. Short fibrous roots form on the bottom of underground bulbs. Plants have a strong garlic or onion odor when crushed.

Habitats

This species prefers disturbed habitats including waste ground, lawns, fields, thickets, roadsides, railroad rights of way, and stream banks.

Impacts

Wild garlic can form masses of vegetation that replace native species and spreads easily in disturbed habitats.

Biology and Ecology

Leaves appear in early spring and flowering occurs from May to July. Aerial bulblets often sprout while still on the plant. Wild garlic can reproduce from seed, aerial bulblets, and bulbs.

Management Approaches

Wild garlic is difficult to control because the bulbs are difficult to eradicate.

Biological Control

There are no biological control agents available for wild garlic. The close taxonomic relationship between wild garlic and cultivated garlic and onion makes biological control unlikely.

Mechanical and Cultural Control

Garlic mustard can reestablish from bulbs after tilling. Fall tillage followed by spring tillage can reduce early growth. Several years of fall and spring tillage are required for control.

Chemical Control

Consult herbicide labels for additional rate, application, and safety information. Additional herbicide information can be found at http://www.greenbook.net.

Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the sponsors of this web site assume no liability for the suggested use of any chemicals noted in the management section. Contact your local pest management personnel for current information on labeled pesticides that can be used for the intended plant disease, insect pest or weed.

References

For more information and images please visit IPM Bugwood: http://www.ipmimages.org/search/action.cfm?q=wild%20garlic&Start=1&results=32