Liliaceae

Allium triquetrum

What is Onion Weed?

Onion Weed (AKA three-cornered garlic) is a perennial with thin green strappy leaves sprouting from a white bulb, which gives off a distinctive onion smell when crushed. White flowers grow at the top of long stalks that have a triangular section (hence the 'three-cornered' name). Seeds form in summer and autumn, spreading mostly by being blown in the wind.

Onion weed loves moist soil conditions and is very shade-tolerant. It's very invasive, as it develops vigorously from small bulblets attached to the parent bulb. These will sprout even after the main parent bulb has died from herbicide application, or simply from breaking off from the parent bulb when being pulled up. Repeat applications onto the re-sprouting weed will most likely be required.

Wild Onion (Allium vineale) is also commonly referred to as Onion Weed. It has purple or greenish-white flowers and the waxy leaves form hollow tubes that resemble chives. Shiny red aerial bulblets form at the top of stems, as well as bulblets at the base of the plant. All parts of the plant are edible.

Dairy farmers detest both these weeds, as when cows graze on them they taint milk with a garlic aftertaste.


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