Species › Plants › Wild Leek

Wild Leek

Allium tricoccum

CommonPlant
Illustration of Wild Leek (Allium tricoccum)

Wild Leek, or ramps, is a spring ephemeral wildflower of rich eastern forests with broad leaves that appear in early spring, then die back before the white flower clusters emerge in summer. It is highly sought as a wild food, with a strong garlic-onion flavor. Overharvesting has reduced populations in accessible areas; only top leaves should be taken sustainably.

Habitat
Rich moist deciduous forests and floodplains in eastern North America
Diet
Flowers provide nectar for native bees; bulbs occasionally dug by bears
How common
Common

Best time to see a Wild Leek

The best time to see a Wild Leek is April–May, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 14,436 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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