Taxonomy

Allium ursinum | Ramsons | Creamh

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Not protected

Native status

Native

Species Biology

Identification

  • Known as Ramsons or Wild Garlic
  • Flowers in April and May
  • Individual flowers are white and star-like. They occur in umbels (bunches) of 8-12
  • Oblong-oval basal leaves which are pointed at the end
  • Once picked or bruised the plant gives of a very strong smell of garlic


Habitat

Woods, hedges and damp shady places 

Life cycle

Perennial

Ex-situ conservation

Not known

Use

Food crop

Vegetative nature

Herbaceous

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Temporal change

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.

How can you help

This species is included in our spring flowering plants project. If you see the species please submit your sighting. All information is very valuable.

 Full list of species included in the spring flowering plants project:

  1. Bluebell
  2. Common Dog-violet
  3. Cowslip
  4. Early Dog-violet
  5. Early-purple Orchid
  6. Lady’s smock (Cuckooflower)
  7. Lesser Celandine
  8. Lords-and Ladies
  9. Primrose
  10. Toothwort
  11. Wild Garlic
  12. Winter Heliotrope
  13. Wood Anemone
  14. Wood Sorrel
  15. Coltsfoot
  16. Three-cornered Garlic

Further information

This species is included in our spring flowering plant project which is a collaboration between the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the BSBI. It is hoped we can collect valuable data to improve our knowledge of the current distribution of some common plants. All data will be fully validated by both partners before loading to Biodiversity Maps and being made available to the BSBI.


Wild Garlic is also an important Crop Wild Relative. It is used as flavouring for soups or salads. It gets its species name 'ursinum' from the fact that the brown bear (Ursou arctus) has a liking for these bulbs and is known to dig them up for food.

Images