Common Name: Wood Leek

General Information

Allium tricoccum is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing 2 - 3 leaves 20 - 30cm long and a flowering scape 10 - 40cm tall from an underground bulb. The plant divides, forming in time a large cluster of plants[].
A popular wild food in N. America, where it is commonly harvested for local use and sold in markets. It is especially useful because it comes into growth early in the year, providing an early sourve of fresh vegetables[].
The plant usually forms large clumps and can become invasive[, ].
Allium tricoccum has long been used as a food source in the Appalachian Mountains and also has medical applications. It is widely consumed throughout its range and increasingly faces harvest pressures due to its burgeoning culinary popularity. Though regulations have been imposed in parts of its range and conservation efforts are underway in some places to restore denuded subpopulations, the species remains under threat due to high demand and the synergistic impact of harvest pressure, invasive competitors, and habitat loss. However, the species remains common and abundant in the core of its range and so the plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2024)[].

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

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Range

Eastern and central N. America - Ontario to Nova Scotia, south to Alabama and Georgia

Habitat

Rich woods and bottoms, preferring slopes and streamsides[, ]. Usually in beech and maple woods[]. Cool, shaded deciduous forests with acidic soils high in organic matter; at elevations from near sea level to 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Allium tricocum is a moderately cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -15°c[].
Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[]. Grows well in light moist woodland, where the plant forms large clumps and can become invasive[, ]. It is probably best grown in the wild garden[].
The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[]. The leaves are produced from early spring and die down in early summer before the flowers have fully opened[].
Growth rate during the plant's growing season is closely related to temperature, with declines observed at temperatures above 14°c or below 8°c[].

Edible Uses

Bulb - raw or cooked[, , ]. Used mainly as a flavouring in salads and savoury dishes[]. This is one of the best N. American wild species for sweetness and flavour[]. A mild sweet flavour, resembling leeks[]. The bulb is rather small, it is up to 12mm wide and 50mm tall[] and is produced in clusters on a rhizome[]. The bulb can be up to 60mm x 30mm[].

Leaves - raw or cooked[]. The unfolding leaves in spring have a mild sweet flavour, resembling leeks[].

Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads. A hot onion flavour[].

Medicinal

This species probably has most of the medicinal virtues of garlic (Allium sativum) but in a milder form[, ]. Traditionally the leaves were used in the treatment of colds and croup, and also as a blood cleanser and spring tonic[, , ].
The warm juice of the leaves and bulb was used externally in the treatment of earaches[, ].
A strong decoction of the root is emetic[].

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[].
Leaf litter produced from the early senescence of subaerial plant parts seems to have some impact on the soil microbiome in areas where the plant is present. Allium tricoccum modifies local soils through the release of thionosulfinates which are toxic to earthworms and other insects and may be an important check on the spread of invasive earthworm species. Additional soil chemistry modifications occur due to the plant’s early uptake and storage of nitrates followed by their subsequent release later in the season. This contributes to a small portion of the 'vernal dam' effect (the remainder being stored by bacteria). Though the impact of this species is relatively minor, its presence in an ecosystem may modify nutrient cycling of broader ecosystems[].

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. The seed usually germinates within 12 months, but only makes a root and a small bulb in its first year of growth. Top growth is not produced until the second spring[]. It is quite possible that if the seed can be sown when it is ripe in early summer, or in the autumn, then this will speed up germination times[]. Sow the seed thinly in the pots so that the young seedlings can be allowed to grow on undisturbed for their first two years. Apply a liquid feed once a month during the growing season to ensure they do not suffer from mineral deficiency. When the plants are dormant at the end of their second years growth, divide them so that there are 2 - 3 small bulbs in each pot. Grow them on for a further year in the greenhouse and then plant them out when they are dormant.
Division in spring. Very easy, the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.