In spring, many people head into the forest to look for wild garlic leaves for pesto, salads or as a spice. But beware: there are some very similar plants. The leaves of lily of the valley in particular look confusingly similar to those of wild garlic.

Only the leaves of lily of the valley (left) and wild garlic (right) look similar, the flowers do not

Wild garlic and lily of the valley?

The most important difference between wild garlic and lily of the valley is that wild garlic leaves are edible while lily of the valley is highly poisonous in all plant seasons. Eating the leaves of the spring bloomer causes severe symptoms of poisoning, which can even end tragically.

However, there are a few characteristics that differentiate the two plants.

How do you distinguish wild garlic and lily of the valley?

  • growing time
  • odor
  • leaves
  • stem
  • buds and flowers

Wild garlic leaves sprout earlier

Wild garlic sprout its leaves earlier than lily of the valley leaves, which can often only be seen up to four weeks later.

distinctive smell

The smell is probably the most important and clearest distinguishing feature. As soon as you pass a spot in the forest with lots of wild garlic, you can smell the garlic. If you're not sure what a plant is, pluck off a leaf and rub it between your fingers.

If the leaf gives off an aromatic smell of garlic, it is non-toxic wild garlic. Lily of the valley leaves have almost no odor of their own.

If the leaf you crushed was a lily of the valley, do not put your fingers in your mouth. Wash them thoroughly at home.

This is how the leaves differ from each other

Wild garlic forms long, lancet-like leaves. There is a green leaf on each petiole. With the lily of the valley there are always two leaves.

Wild garlic leaves have long stalks, while lily of the valley leaves have shorter stalks.

Triangular stem

In contrast to the lily of the valley, the stems of the leaves and inflorescences of wild garlic are triangular. Lily of the valley stems are round.

The wild garlic blossom is an umbel

Lily of the valley rightly lives up to its name. Its flowers form small, downward-hanging bells, which are strung on a stalk. The blossom of wild garlic, on the other hand, is an umbel.

The flower umbel grows on a long stalk and has a spherical shape. Buds first develop on it, from which up to 20 small white flowers, each with six petals, appear.

When wild garlic blooms, its harvest time is over. The leaves lose flavor once buds and later flowers appear. You shouldn't collect the leaves anyway. The flowering period of the lily of the valley begins several weeks later.

tips

Other similar plants such as spotted arum and autumn crocus, which are poisonous and therefore not edible, are often confused with wild garlic. In the trade, confusion with arum leaves has occasionally occurred. You should therefore also check purchased wild garlic before eating it.

Category:

Vegetable garden