Family: Amaryllidaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 300 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Allium
Vegetable: False
Observations: W. & C. Europe to Caucasus
Description
Bear garlic, known scientifically as Allium ursinum, is a perennial herbaceous plant renowned for its distinctive aroma and culinary as well as medicinal uses. This vibrant plant is native to the extensive regions of Western and Central Europe, stretching all the way to the Caucasus.
Bear garlic thrives in damp, deciduous woodlands, often forming dense carpets on the forest floor. The plant typically grows 20-50 cm tall, with broad, lance-shaped, and glossy green leaves that can easily be mistaken for the leaves of the similarly appearing lily of the valley. However, its most striking feature is the cluster of star-shaped, white flowers that bloom between April and June, adding a delicate charm to its forest habitat.
Historically, the nomenclature of this plant was first recorded in the seminal botanical work Species Plantarum in 1753 by the esteemed botanist Carl Linnaeus, often cited simply as “L.” The versatility of bear garlic is widely celebrated; its leaves, stems, flowers, and bulbs are all edible. Often referred to as the “wild garlic,” it is prized for its strong garlicky flavor, though it is more subtle and refined compared to cultivated garlic, Allium sativum.
Bear garlic has been a staple in various regional cuisines, where it is used to make pesto, salads, soups, and as an herb in numerous dishes. Its leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, providing a potent health boost. Rich in vitamins A and C, it also possesses notable antiseptic properties. Traditionally, it has been used to treat digestive ailments and high blood pressure, showcase its medicinal prowess.
In addition to culinary and medicinal uses, bear garlic plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. It serves as an early nectar source for pollinators like bees and butterflies, ensuring these insects have food after the winter months. Its bulbous structure also aids in soil stability and fertility, making it an essential part of its native woodland environments.
Despite its many benefits, those foraging for bear garlic should exercise caution and ensure correct identification due to its similarity to potentially toxic plants such as the lily of the valley and autumn crocus. It’s always advised to forage under the guidance of an experienced forager or botanist if one is not certain about the plant’s identity.
In summary, bear garlic (Allium ursinum) is not only a delightful addition to culinary traditions, but it’s also an essential medicinal herb and an ecological boon. Its presence in forests from Western and Central Europe to the Caucasus highlights its adaptability and importance across diverse habitats.
Common Names
Fin: aaprottimaruna, koiruoho, kultakaunokki, karhunlaukka
Nor: abrodd, klubbekorg, malurt, rams
Deu: barlauchkraut, bär-lauch, bärenlauch, bärlauch, ramsel, waldknoblauch, zigeunerlauchkraut
Dan: have-malurt, rams-løg, svineøje, rams
Swe: klubbfibbla, malört, vägarnika, karhunlaukka, ramslök, åbrodd
Fra: ail des bois, ail des ours
Eng: bear garlic, buckrams, gypsy onion, hog garlic, ramsons, wood garlic
Nld: daslook
Lav: laksis, mezloks
Nno: ramslauk
Nob: ramsløk
Cym: cra dynion, craf y geifr, craf y geifr llydan-ddail, garlleg y geifr
En: Bear garlic, Ramsons, Wood garlic, Gypsy onion, Buckrams, Hog garlic, Stink bombs, Bärlauch, Hramsa, Wild Garlic, Хылба, Bear’s Garlic, Broad-leaved Garlic
Af: Wildeknoffel
Sq: Lerthi
Ar: ثوم الدببة
Hy: Ղանձիլ
Az: Ayısoğanı
Ba: Айыу йыуаһы
Eu: Hartz-baratxuri
Be: Цыбуля мядзведжая
Bn: বুনো রসুন
Bs: Medvjeđi luk
Br: Kignen-an-arzhed
Bg: Левурда
Ca: All de bruixa, All ursí
Ce: Хьонка
Zh: 熊葱
Kw: Koos kennin
Hr: Medvjeđi luk
Cs: Česnek medvědí
Da: Forårsløg, Rams-Løg, Have-Malurt, Svineøje, Rams
Nl: Daslook
Eo: Ursa ajlo
Et: Karulauk
Fi: Karhunlaukka, Aaprottimaruna, Koiruoho, Kultakaunokki
Fr: Ail des bois, Ail des ours, Ails des Bois, Ail à larges feuilles, Ail pétiolé
Ka: Ღანძილი
De: Bärenlauch, Bärlauch, Ramsel, Waldknoblauch, Zigeunerlauchkraut, Barlauchkraut, Bär-Lauch, Bären-Lauch, Blüte Bärlauch, Waldlauch
El: Άγριο σκόρδο
He: שום פרא
Hi: जंगली लहसुन
Hu: Medvehagyma
Is: Bjarnarlaukur
Ga: Creamh
It: Aglio orsino
Kk: Ұсақ торлы жуа
Ko: 램슨
Ku: Lûş
Lv: Laksis, Laksis, mezloks
Li: Daslook
Lt: Meškinis česnakas
Lb: Heckeknuewelek
Mk: Мечкин лук
Ml: അല്ലിയം ഉർസിനം
No: Ramsløk, Ramslauk, Abrodd, Klubbekorg, Malurt, Rams
Nb: Ramsløk
Nn: Ramslauk
Or: ଜଂଗଲୀ ରସୁଣ
Os: Давон
Pa: ਜੰਗਲੀ ਲਸਣ
Fa: سیرخرس
Pl: Czosnek niedźwiedzi
Pt: Alho de urso
Ro: Leurdă
Ru: Luk medvežij, Čeremša, Medvezhiy Luk, Черемша
Sr: Сремуш
Sk: Cesnak medvedí
Es: Ajo de los osos, Čemaž, Ajo de oso
Sv: Ramslök, Klubbfibbla, Malört, Vägarnika, Karhunlaukka, Åbrodd
Zh-tw: 熊蔥
Zh-hant: 熊蔥
Tr: Bärrlauch
Uk: Цибуля ведмежа
Ur: لہسن دُب
Vi: Tỏi gấu
Wa: A des oûsses
Cy: Craf y Geifr, Cra Dynion, Craf y Geifr Llydan-Ddail, Garlleg y Geifr
Fy: Blêdlok
Synonyms
- Allium ursinoides (G.Don ex Sweet)
- Allium ursinum f. latifolium (Bolzon)
- Ophioscorodon ursinum ((L.) Wallr.)
- Nectaroscordum ursinum ((L.) Banfi & Galasso)
- Allium latifolium (Gilib.)
- Allium ucrainicum ((Oksner & Kleopow) Bordz.)
- Cepa ursina ((L.) Bernh.)
- Allium longipetiolatum (St.-Lag.)
- Allium ursinum var. ucrainicum ((Oksner & Kleopow) Soó)
- Aglitheis ursina ((L.) Raf.)
- Allium petiolatum (Lam.)
- Allium ursinum subsp. ucrainicum (Oksner & Kleopow)
- Geboscon ursinum ((L.) Raf.)
- Allium vincetoxicum (Pall. ex Ledeb.)
- Moly latifolium ((Gilib.) Gray)
- Hylogeton ursinum ((L.) Salisb.)
- Allium nemorale (Salisb.)
Distribution
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Ukraine (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken May 17, 2019 by Cruz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 9, 2017 by Mathieu Corrales (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2016 by Reinhard Bachmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 10, 2019 by cami katze (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Mar 23, 2022 by Ernst Fürst (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 6, 2022 by Rel Canis (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 2020 by franco (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 29, 2019 by kora (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 17, 2021 by Frozy <3 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2021 by Gui ferl (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2021 by Gui ferl (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2019 by Barroso Martínez Rubén (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken May 16, 2020 by Katharina Klumpp (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 10, 2020 by Hendrik-Jan Hoogenberk (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 20, 2018 by Christian Lanthelme (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2022 by Clapés Jordi (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2021 by Tristan Menut (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2019 by De Pascale De Pascale (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 19, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2019 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Fruit
Taken May 4, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 26, 2019 by Eric Cogniat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 20, 2019 by Christina Buhr (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2021 by stan wtever (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 8, 2022 by Christophe Deurveilher (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:529088-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2857601)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Allium ursinum L.)
Specifications
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 7.5
Light: 4
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Soil nutriments: 7