Allium canadense L.

Bulb ovoid-conic, 1–3 cm, its coats fibrous-reticulate; stem erect, stout, 2–6 dm, leafy in the lower third; lvs elongate, flat, 2–4(–7) mm wide; bracts 2 or 3, broadly ovate, acuminate; fls when present pink or white, on pedicels 1–3 cm, often many or all of them replaced by sessile bulblets to 1 cm; tep withering in fr; fr not crested; seeds shining, finely alveolate, each alveolus with a minute central pustule; 2n=14, 21, 28. Open woods and prairies; N.B. to N.D., s. to Fla. and Tex. (A. mutabile) The common phase in our range is var. canadense, with many or all of the fls replaced by sessile bulblets, the fls, when developed, rarely producing fr. The strictly floriferous var. lavendulare (Bates) Ownbey & Aase occurs from Mo. to S.D., Okla., and n. Ark. Other floriferous vars. occur to the s. and w.

It grows naturally in North America from New Brunswick to Minnesota, south to Florida and Colorado in low woods, thickets and meadows. It is often in dry locations. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

The bulbs are eaten raw or cooked. The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. They need to be picked before the flower stalk appears. The flowers are used raw or to flavour salads. Some forms have bulbils which are pickled.

Plants can be grown from seed or by division of clumps. Bulbs should be planted fairly deeply. Bulbils can also be used.