Wild Garlic Greens (Ramsons)

Description

Also known as Ramsons which spend most of the year as bulbs underground in ancient, damp woodlands, only emerging to flower and leaf from mid February onwards. This early spring flowering allows them to make the most of the sunlight that is still able to make it to their forest floor habitat and attracts the attention of plenty of pollinating insects including Hoverflies, Butterflies and longhorn beetles. Millions of bulbs may exist in one wood, causing white, starry carpets and strong garlic smell we so keenly associate with this flower. Ramsons are unmistakable, the garlicky smell alone can be a tell-tale sign! Otherwise for their round clusters of star like, white flowers borne on straight green stems in April and May. Their leaves are grey-green, oval and narrow and grow around the base of the stem.