Allium ursinium - Ramsons (Liliaceae)

Ramsons, or wild garlicThe first few flowers of ramsons may appear towards the end of March or early April, but May and early June are when this striking wildflower is at its best.

A plant that carpets woodland floors and roadsides in damp places, ramsons, or wild garlic as it is sometimes (correctly) called, advertises its presence by its strong smell. It grows from a bulb, and is a relative of the leek.

Ramsons is an edible plant and has been used in cooking for hundreds of years. It has an altogether more delicate and less overpowering flavour than the cloves of garlic with which we are much more familiar today.

These plants were photographed in spring in West Wales.

Ramsons carpeting a wooded glade