Wild Garlic

Allium ursinum — Amaryllidaceae

Italiano: Aglio orsino — Lierzu/Orsella

Description

Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and is native to Europe. It thrives in Damp woods, Deciduous forests, Shaded valleys, Near streams environments across regions including Italy_North, Switzerland, Germany, France_East, UK, Scandinavia. Botanically, Wild Garlic is strong garlic odor. Broad glossy leaves. Entire plant edible.. It is also known locally as Lierzu/Orsella. The edible parts include Leaves, Flowers, Bulbs. With an edibility rating of 9/10, it ranks as an excellent wild food source. Harvesting is best done during April, March and May. Nutritionally, Wild Garlic stands out for its Vitamin K (200.0mg, 167% DV), Vitamin C (150.0mg, 167% DV) and Vitamin A (100.0mg, 11% DV). It also provides 3.7g protein and 2.0g dietary fiber per 100g serving. In the kitchen, Wild Garlic offers a Intense garlic pungent flavor profile. Raw pesto sauteed flowers vinegar pickled bulbs like onion. Common culinary applications include pesto, pickled flowers, sauteed, garlic butter. Popular preparations include Wild garlic pesto, Garlic butter, Pickled flowers, Sauteed greens with garlic. For storage, frozen pesto 6mo Pickled 12mo. Safety note: No toxicity strong garlic odor. Antinutrient content is no significant antinutrients. Be aware that Lily of valley Convallaria TOXIC Colchicum TOXIC check garlic odor. Always verify identification with at least three independent botanical sources before consumption.

🌿 Foraging Tips

Where to find: Grows in Damp woods, Deciduous forests, Shaded valleys, Near streams across Italy_North, Switzerland, Germany, France_East, UK, Scandinavia, Balkans.

🍳 Recipe: Wild garlic pesto

Preparation method: Raw pesto sauteed flowers vinegar pickled bulbs like onion
Flavor profile: Intense garlic pungent
Edible parts: Leaves, Flowers, Bulbs

This is one of the traditional ways to prepare this wild edible plant. Always ensure proper plant identification before cooking.

When to harvest: Best months: Mar, Apr, May.
Lookalike (safe): No edible lookalike
⚠️ Lookalike (toxic): Lily of valley Convallaria TOXIC Colchicum TOXIC check garlic odor
Tip: Always verify identification with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant. When in doubt, do not eat it.

Edibility

9/10
Toxicity: No toxicity strong garlic odor
Antinutrients: No significant antinutrients
Safe lookalikes: No edible lookalike
Dangerous: Lily of valley Convallaria TOXIC Colchicum TOXIC check garlic odor

Harvest Calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Edible parts: Leaves, Flowers, Bulbs
Preparation: Raw pesto sauteed flowers vinegar pickled bulbs like onion
Flavor: Intense garlic pungent

Nutrition (per 100g)

Protein: 3.7g
Fat: 0.7g
Fiber: 2.0g
Vitamin C: 150.0mg (166%DV)
Vitamin A: 100mcg (11%DV)
Vitamin E: 1.0mg (6%DV)
Vitamin K: 200mcg (166%DV)
Folate (B9): 20mcg (5%DV)
Calcium: 30.0mg (2%DV)
Iron: 1.5mg (8%DV)
Magnesium: 30mg (7%DV)
Potassium: 300mg (6%DV)
Zinc: 0.5mg (4%DV)

Culinary Uses: pesto, pickled flowers, sauteed, garlic butter Storage: Frozen pesto 6mo Pickled 12mo

Recipes

  • Wild garlic pesto
  • Garlic butter
  • Pickled flowers
  • Sauteed greens with garlic
  • Wild green pesto
  • Leafy green soup
  • Wild winter pesto made from Wild Garlic
  • Traditional Wild Garlic soup

Where It Grows

Continent: Europe
Regions: Italy_North, Switzerland, Germany, France_East, UK, Scandinavia, Balkans
Habitat: Damp woods, Deciduous forests, Shaded valleys, Near streams
⚠️
Important: Always verify plant identification before consumption. This content is for informational purposes only. Consult reliable sources and experts before eating any wild plant. Improper identification can be dangerous.

Sources & References