Onion and garlic, like many other common plants, grow in the wild. Both members of the Lily family, these perennial plants have long been used for culinary and medicinal purposes. As with any wild plant, you should be absolutely certain of your identification before consuming any parts. A field guide or your agricultural extension office can assist you with identification.
Types
There are several species and subspecies of both wild onion and garlic. The most common varieties include nodding wild onion, field garlic and wild garlic. Bear in mind that there may be regional variations of species names. Observation of the surrounding habitat will provide you with additional information for a positive identification of the plant. For example, nodding wild onion is found on rocky soils and open woods, according to Lee Allen Peterson, author of "Edible Wild Plants." Garlic prefers fields and clearings.
Identification
Because both plants are related, they have similar features with some defining characteristics. Both wild onion and garlic resemble chives, with their long grass-like leaves. You will find that nodding wild onion is appropriately named by the drooping appearance of its flower cluster. Field garlic is similar to nodding wild onion but its stem is hollow. Both plants have white to pink flowers that form a cluster at the top of the plant. Wild garlic is taller than wild onion, reaching heights up to 3 feet in some varieties.
Culinary Uses
As the names would imply, you can use wild onion and garlic as you would the cultivated varieties. You can boil or pickle the bulbs and use them for seasoning. You may find the flavor of wild onion milder than cultivated varieties whereas the odor of wild garlic may be stronger. While all varieties are edible, do not consume any plants gathered in areas that may be contaminated by pesticide or fertilizer application.
Medicinal Uses
Folklore is filled with the accounts of wild plants being used for medicinal purposes. Wild garlic is no exception. Steven Foster, in his book "Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants," reported that wild garlic is a folklore cancer remedy. While conclusive evidence is still needed, the University of Maryland Medical Center believes the research shows some promise. Other folklore uses include treatments for respiratory ailments and a topical application for ringworm and acne. Exercise caution if using garlic topically as the oils may be irritating to some individuals.
Status
Both wild onion and garlic are common throughout the United States with some local exceptions. Nodding wild onion, for example, is classified as a threatened plant in Iowa and Minnesota, according to the USDA Plant Database. Likewise, wild garlic is an endangered plant in New Hampshire and threatened in Vermont. However, both plants are considered noxious weeds in Arkansas. A noxious plant cannot be sold or planted due to its invasive nature.
References
- "Edible Wild Plants"; Lee Allen Peterson; 1977
- "Eastern-Central Medicinal Plants"; Steven Foster and James A. Duke; 1977
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Garlic
- USDA Plant Database: Meadow Garlic
- USDA Plant Database: Nodding Onion
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