Allium tricoccum, commonly known as Wild Leek, is a native perennial wildflower found in rich, moist woodlands throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soils and prefers full to partial shade.
This plant features broad, smooth, green leaves that emerge in early spring and die back by mid-summer. In late spring, it produces small, star-shaped white flowers in an umbel cluster, which are held atop a leafless stalk. The leaves and bulb have a strong, onion-like odor and flavor, making them a popular wild food, especially in spring. The plant can grow to a height of 0.5 to 1.5 feet.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Allium tricoccum is a highly valued plant for woodland gardens or naturalized landscapes. It offers early-season edible greens for foragers and adds beauty with its delicate white flowers. However, ramps are slow-growing and can be sensitive to overharvesting, so they should be managed responsibly in wild spaces.
Allium tricoccum, commonly known as Wild Leek, is a native perennial wildflower found in rich, moist woodlands throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soils and prefers full to partial shade.
This plant features broad, smooth, green leaves that emerge in early spring and die back by mid-summer. In late spring, it produces small, star-shaped white flowers in an umbel cluster, which are held atop a leafless stalk. The leaves and bulb have a strong, onion-like odor and flavor, making them a popular wild food, especially in spring. The plant can grow to a height of 0.5 to 1.5 feet.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Allium tricoccum is a highly valued plant for woodland gardens or naturalized landscapes. It offers early-season edible greens for foragers and adds beauty with its delicate white flowers. However, ramps are slow-growing and can be sensitive to overharvesting, so they should be managed responsibly in wild spaces.
Bloom: summer
Habitats: mesic deciduous woodlands; wooded bluffs
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: more or less mesic
Plant type (height): forb (0.5 to 1.5 feet)
Requirements: dappled sunlight during the spring when the basal leaves develop, while during the summer considerable shade is tolerated as the basal leaves wither away
Soil: rich loose loam with abundant organic matter
