Common Name: Canadian Garlic

General Information

Allium canadense mobilense is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing 2 - 5 leaves 20 - 50cm long and a flowering scape 10 - 50cm tall from an underground bulb. The plant divides, forming in time a cluster of plants[].
The plant is often harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine.

Known Hazards

Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Southeaster N. America - Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, east to North Carolina and Florida.

Habitat

Low woods, thickets and meadows[]. Woods and prairies, usually in sandy or rocky soils, rarely on limestone or clay; at elevations up to 300 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.45 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Allium canadense mobilense
Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[]. A moisture loving plant according to another report[].
The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[].
Bulbs grow to a good size under cultivation[].
Some forms of this species produce many bulbils and are considered to be a pernicious weed in some areas of America[], there is some risk that they could spread aggressively in other parts of the temperate zone. This subspecies, however, is a form that only rarely produces bulbils and is much better behaved[, ].

Edible Uses

Bulb - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. It can be used as a vegetable, or as a flavouring in soups and stews, and can also be pickled[]. The bulb is up to 30mm in diameter, it is crisp, mild and with a pleasant flavour[, ]. Used as a leek substitute according to one report[], it is a garlic substitute according to others[, , ].

Leaves - raw or cooked[, , ]. A delicious mild flavour, they are available from early spring until the autumn[]. They make a very acceptable salad and can also be used as a greens or as a flavouring in cooked foods[].

Flowers - raw. A little bit stronger flavour than the leaves, especially as the seeds begin to form, they can be used as a flavouring and garnish on salads[].

Medicinal

The plant is antiasthmatic, carminative, cathartic, diuretic, expectorant and stimulant[]. A tincture is used to prevent worms and colic in children, and also as a remedy for croup[].
Although no other specific mention of medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Allium species usually grow well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but they inhibit the growth of legumes[, , ]. They are, in general, bad companions for alfalfa - each species negatively affecting the other[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Other Uses

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the juice of most species in this genus (especially those with a strong onion or garlic smell) can be used as a moth repellent[].
The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle - if you want to produce clumps more quickly then put three plants in each pot. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in spring once they are growing vigorously and are large enough.
Division in spring. Very easy, the plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season and the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.