Fragrant false garlic (Nothoscordum gracile, Taxon 35: 338 (1986))

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Author: (Aiton) Stearn

Bibliography: Taxon 35: 338 (1986)

Year: 1986

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Nothoscordum

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Mexico to S. South America

Description

Fragrant False Garlic

Nothoscordum gracile, commonly known as Fragrant False Garlic, is an intriguing member of the Amaryllidaceae family. The species was first described in detail by William Aiton and later refined by William Thomas Stearn in 1986, as cited in the seminal work, Taxon 35: 338.

This delicate plant is native to a wide geographical range stretching from southeastern Mexico through to the southern reaches of South America. The adaptability of Fragrant False Garlic allows it to thrive in various environments, making it a resilient and versatile species within its natural habitat.

Belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, Nothoscordum gracile shares some similarities with other well-known plants in the same family, yet it distinguishes itself through unique characteristics. The common name Fragrant False Garlic hints at one of these distinguishing traits—the plant produces a notably pleasant aroma, which sets it apart from true garlic plants that tend to have a pungent scent.

The plant’s structure is delicate yet hardy, characterized by slender leaves and small, often white or light-colored flowers that bloom in clusters. These flowers have a subtle, sweet fragrance, contributing not only to the plant’s beauty but also to its appeal in gardens and natural landscapes.

Nothoscordum gracile is a species that encapsulates the diverse beauty of plant life in the Americas, and its fragrant presence adds an aromatic charm to the regions it inhabits. Whether appreciated for its ornamental qualities in horticulture or studied for its ecological adaptations, Fragrant False Garlic represents a fascinating blend of aesthetic and biological interest.

Common Names

Eng: slender false garlic, fragrant false garlic, onionweed, false garlic
Por: alho-americano, alho-bravo, alho-dos-açores, alho-sem-cheiro
Spa: alho-bravo
Swe: vaniljlök
En: Fragrant false garlic, Onionweed, Slender false garlic, Flase garlic, False garlic, Slender False-garlic
Af: Baster knoffel
Fi: Viirulaukkio
Fr: Ail grêle, Ptit l’ail sauvage
Pt: Alho-americano, Alho-bravo, Alho-dos-açores, Alho-sem-cheiro
Es: Alho-bravo
Sv: Vaniljlök

Synonyms

• Milla macrostemon var. gracilis ((Aiton) Baker)
• Maligia gracilis ((Aiton) Raf.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baleares (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Leaf

Taken Nov 16, 2021 by Ball Darren (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2020 by Sohaib Aashir (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2020 by Sohaib Aashir (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2022 by Edoardo Vincenti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 14, 2021 by Amedeo Alberto Falci (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by AA AA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 15, 2022 by Ricardo Lemaur (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2021 by joseronchel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2021 by ccarriconde ccarriconde (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 4, 2022 by mnl momji (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2014 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2020 by Luigi Meneghetti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2020 by Viviane Rezzoug (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by Kremer Rita (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2020 by Paulo Pereira (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 5, 2020 by Pokotilo Olga (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2022 by antonio_334 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2020 by B G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by Caralhoeapartedobarco Caralhoeapartedobarco Merdaeestrume (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Claudia Steiger (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by Caralhoeapartedobarco Caralhoeapartedobarco Merdaeestrume (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Montse Bronchal (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2855519)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:130726-3)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Nothoscordum gracile (Aiton) Stearn)

Specifications

Growth