Ramps - Allium tricoccum

Allium tricoccum, otherwise known as Ramps or Wild Leeks, is a perennial bulb native to Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. This plant makes an interesting groundcover that is edible! All parts of the plant smell like onion (are the leaves are fantastic sautéed in butter). The leaves pop up early to 8" in height and add some fresh color after a long winter.  As the flower stalk emerges, the leaves fade, leaving a ball of white flowers on a stalk that persit when most forest floor flowers have finished.  Flowers are followed by a cluster of glossy black seeds that may last long enough to add winter interest. Flowers are popular with bees, including Mason bees.
 
This is a woodland plant, designed to gather energy early when there are no leaves to make shade, then flower when other plants in the forest are finished.  It prefers rich, moist forest soil, with part to full shade. It does not tolerate competition well. To conserve your patch, clip only a few leaves from each plant to allow it to collect the energy it will need to flower and return next year. Eventually, bulbs can be divided to expand your patch. Follow the same clipping practice if wild-collecting - do not dig the bulbs. It can take 5 to 7 years to grow a new plant from seed and this plant suffers from over-collection and pressure from invasives in many places.