Ramps, Allium tricoccum or Allium tricoccum, var. burdickii, also known as wild leeks, are native to the eastern North American mountains. They can be found growing in patches in rich, moist, deciduous forests and bottoms from as far north as Canada, west to Missouri and Minnesota, and south to North Carolina and Tennessee. In early spring, ramps send up smooth, broad, lily-of-the-valley-like leaves that disappear by summer before the white flowers appear. The bulbs have the pleasant taste of sweet spring onions with a strong garliclike aroma. The bulbs are best used in the spring, but by summer they tend to be somewhat tough. Always exercise caution when harvesting and consuming plants from the wild and ensure that you have positively identified any plants that you plan to consume.
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There is a large patch of wild leeks growing in my woods. Are they edible?
Last Updated: January 08, 2008
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