Allium tricoccum – Wild Leek; Ramps

General Information: The broad leaves of this distinctive spring ephemeral, which look much like those of the toxic ornamental Lily-Of-The-Valley (Convallaria majalis), appear in early spring, usually in late March and early April. The leaves persist only for a few months, eventually withering before the clusters of small, creamy-white flowers appear in June or July from mature bulbs. The crispy seed heads mature in September and October and contain numerous small, spherical, black seeds. The flowers and resultant seed heads may sometimes appear to be part of a separate plant, as they often appear after all signs of the leaves have disappeared. A slow-to-establish clumper which eventually forms large colonies. In the wild, those who are lucky enough to find these plants often find them in great quantities.

Edible Qualities: A popular wild edible in many parts of the plant’s native range, Ramps are considered by many to be the best of our native Onions. The bulbs and tender young leaves have a mild Onion flavor, and are used in many of the same ways as other Onions. Many recipes are available, and the plant can be used in the same manner as the closely-related European Ramsons (Allium ursinum). To avoid overharvesting, bulbs should only be harvested when patches have had several years to establish and spread. The leaves, which are just as tasty and preferred by some to the bulbs, are most sustainably harvested from mature individual plants. First-year bulbs will produce a single leaf, whereas mature bulbs will produce two leaves, and well-established mature bulbs will produce three leaves. Three-leafed bulbs are also likely to flower. This plant is used as a traditional food source and medicine by Indigenous Peoples of North America.

Cultivation Details: Ramps make a perfect understory plant, especially in food forests and forest gardens. Consider pairing with other shade-loving edible plants such as Paw Paw (Asimina triloba), Purple Flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus), Ostrich Ferns (Matteuccia spp), Spring Ephemerals, or reintroducing them to the forest. These plants are naturally found on slopes or bottomlands in hardwood forests with rich soils. They are uniquely tolerant of Juglone, a chemical secreted by Walnut (Juglans) trees which prevents many other plants from growing beneath them. Applying a deep layer of organic mulch may help these slow-growing plants become established. The plant is very slow to spread by seed, as the seeds take two years to germinate. The plant is most easily propagated by division of mature bulbs just as the leaves begin to emerge or once they have died back for the year. Ramps are a welcome addition to food forests, rewilding, forest gardens, and along shady fence lines or foundations.

Growing Requirements: Plant in dappled sun. Tolerates nearly full sun if kept sufficiently moist and given some shade throughout the day. Note that dappled sun conditions should be observed when the tree canopy is bare, i.e. from late fall through early spring. Ideal planting locations are areas which receive partial to nearly full sun before tree canopies leaf out. Prefers moist, rich, sandy or loamy soils. Suitable for mildly acidic, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils.

Fun Facts: An indication of these plants’ continued popularity in many parts of their native range is the annual Ramps Festival held each spring in the Great Smoky Mountains. The name of the City of Chicago was derived from the Potowatomi name for the area, which was once abundant with Ramps.