What plant is society garlic? Getting to know this bulbous plant

Other names for society garlic

Wild garlic, African small lily

Morphological characteristics of society garlic

The bulb of society garlic is thick and fleshy, spherical, up to 2 cm in diameter, with white membranous leaf sheaths. The leaves are mostly semi-cylindrical, slightly hollow in the center, about 30 cm long and about 5 mm wide, with leaf sheaths 5-20 cm long.
The flower stem of society garlic is erect, 30-60 cm tall, and the umbel is spherical with numerous flowers.

Growth habits of society garlic

Society garlic loves light; full sun or half sun is ideal for cultivation sites, but it should not be shaded. It likes high temperatures and tolerates heat, with an optimum growing temperature of 24~30 degrees.
Society garlic has no strict soil requirements and tolerates poor soil, but it blooms vigorously on fertile, well-drained sandy loam or loam.

Main values of society garlic

Ornamental: The leaves of society garlic are emerald green, the flowers are pretty, the petals are fleshy, and the flowering period is long, giving it a certain ornamental value; it is suitable for courtyard planting, potted cultivation, or cut flowers.

Edible: Society garlic is a plant that can be eaten; its whole plant can be eaten, and the taste is similar to that of Chinese chives. It contains a variety of trace elements and vitamins, which can meet the human body's need for various nutrients. In some regions it is also called foreign chives. There are many ways to eat it, and whether stir-fried or used as a filling, the taste is very enticing.

Medicinal: Li Shizhen said: "Its roots are suitable for boiling, preserving in wine lees, or soaking in vinegar." The root is white and used medicinally, named Zhanbai. Food properties and flavor: pungent, bitter, warm, smooth, non-toxic. Indications: chest impediment and heart pain, red and white dysentery. The smell of Chinese onion is similar to garlic, hence the name wild garlic; the root is white, also called Xiebai, and is used in traditional Chinese medicine.