Allium triquetrum 

'Three-cornered Leek'

[Ex. Jesmond Dene, Newcastle]

Alliaceae: a bulbous perennial to 45cm that smells strongly of garlic when bruised. Found in hedges, woodland and disturbed ground. The flowers are 2cm long, bell-shaped, white with narrow green stripes, in drooping umbels on 3-sided stems, blooming from March-June. The leaves are narrow, keeled and only 3 per plant. Introduced and naturalised locally. Native to Southern Europe.

USES:

The bulbs can be eaten raw or cooked. They are rather small bulb is up to 20mm in diameter, it has a mild garlic flavour and can be used as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods. It is harvested in early summer when the plant has died down and will store for at least 6 months. Leaves can also be eaten raw or cooked, they are available from late autumn until the spring, they are nice in salads when they are young, or cooked as a vegetable or flavouring as they get older. The leaves have a milder and more delicate flavour than onions. The flowers can be used raw, they are juicy with a mild garlic flavour, they make a tasty and decorative garnish on salads.

GROWING INFORMATION:

These seeds germinate very irregularly over a long period. Lower temperatures of less than +5°C [41°F] are very effective. Seed trays should not be discarded prematurely. Constant moisture must be maintained. Do not leave in direct sunlight. If you can try to keep the sowing for 3 weeks at approximately +30°C [86°F], then 3 weeks at +5°C [41°F], then at +21°C [70°F]. Prefers a rich moist but well-drained soil, and grows well in light moist woodland. Plants are said to be not hardy outside, and only the milder areas of Britain, but I have found the in Jesmond Dene in Newcastle, and they have grown happily in my garden.

HARVESTED: 2022*

 
APPROX. 30 SEEDS