False Garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve)

Nothoscordum bivalve is known by the common names False Garlic, Grace Garlic or Crowpoison and is one of three onion-like species that grows in this area; the others are the Field Garlic (Allium vineale) and the Broadleaf Wild Leek (Allium ampeloprasum). I’ve only seen False Garlic at home where we have a small patch on the ledge immediately above the creek. They don’t bloom successfully every year – in fact this year something nipped the buds - but I did manage to get some photos a couple of years ago.

A patch of developing plants in the woods.

The flower head budding.

Starting to open.

The flower stalks unfolding.

Flower stalks, unfolded a little further.

A freshly opened flower

Flowering completed.

Nothoscordum bivalve (False Garlic) is native to the southeastern United States.
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Distribution Map:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Nothoscordum bivalve (Crowpoison)
- University of North Carolina Herbarium: Nothoscordum bivalve

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: False Garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve)
- Natural and Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas and Georgia: Nothoscordum bivalve
- Missouri Plants: Nothoscordum bivalve

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower – Wildflower Index