Ramps - Wild Leeks

(Allium tricoccum)

Other Names:
Spring Onion, Ramson, Wild Leek, Wood Leek, and Wild Garlic

Range:

Family:
Amaryllidaceae– Ramp family

Growth Type:
A Herbaceous Perennial plant. Similar in appearance to members of the lily family

Height:
Can grow up to a height of 10"

Leaves:
The leaves are sea green in color, waxy in appearance, and rather delicate. The plant typically has two or three long lance shaped leaves with parallel veins. The leaves are basal in nature, and when crushed, exhibit a strong onion scent. This onion scent is conspicuously absent from members of the lily family, including the similar looking lily of the valley. The leaves sprout in early spring, and wither by late spring. When crushed, the leaves have a strong garlicy onion smell. This is a very distinctive manner in which you can be sure to have the correct plant.

Stem/Trunk:
Leek individual non branching stems are typically purple above the ground and white below ground. Although the stems are sometimes white above ground. Flower stalks appear after leaves wither

Root:
Bulb

Flower Season:
Late spring - early summer

Flower Appearance:
A dome like cluster of white six petaled flowers on a long stem.

Seed/Fruit:
3 hard seedcases which rather resemble shiny black bb's.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
Allium tricoccum bears a superficial resemblance to Lily-of-the-valley, Convallaria majalis. Leaks prefer hardwood forests. They are often found near maple trees.

**Differences between Ramps and Lily-of-the-valley**
Ramps	Lily-of-the-valley
Grow from bulb with rootlets at end	Grow from root with rootlets along shaft
1 or 2 leaves growing individually from the bulb	Multiple leaves growing whorled around stem
Flower stem does not appear until leaves wither	Flower stem appears at the same time as the leaves
Multiple small flowers are grouped in a dome similar to that of a daisy	Multiple bell shaped flowers which hang down along the length of the stem
When crushed, the leaves smell of onion and garlic	When crushed leaves have no smell

Habitat:
Moist rich soils of partially shaded hardwood forests. They are often directly associated with maple trees.

Parts Used:
Leaves, stems, bulbs

Culinary Uses:
The bulbs remain edible throughout the year, while the leaves and stems are edible until they wither in late spring.

Delicious recipes for Allium tricoccum

Whether you call them Spring Onions, Ramps, Wild Leeks, Wild Garlic, or Allium tricoccum, These delicious plants are a highly sought after spring delicacy.

Here is one of my favorite recipes.

Pasta carbonara with wild ramps

Ingredients:

8 oz ramps, chopped
1 lb thick spaghetti
2 lg eggs plus 2 yolks, at room temperature
1 tbsp olive oil
4 oz smoked bacon, cut into 1/4" pieces
1 oz Parmesan cheese, grated
1 oz Romano cheese, rated
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:

Place a large pot of lightly salted water (no more than 1 tablespoon salt) over high heat, and bring to a boil. Fill a large bowl with hot water and set aside.

While waiting for the pasta water to boil, in a mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, yolks and Romano and Parmesan cheeses. Season with a pinch of salt and generous black pepper.

Add pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.

While pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the bacon, and sauté until the fat just renders, on the edge of crispness but not hard. Remove the bacon from the pan, and add the chopped ramps. Saute' until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Add bacon back to the pan and remove from heat and set aside.

Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.

Empty serving bowl of hot water. Dry it and add hot pasta, the ramps and bacon mixture and mix thoroughly. Stir in cheese and egg mixture, adding some reserved pasta water if needed for creaminess. Serve immediately, dressing it with a bit of additional grated Parmesan and pepper.

The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.

Energetics
Taste: Pungent
Thermal: Warming
Humidity: Drying

Medicinal Uses:
Bulbs have been used in traditional medicine to reduce blood pressure. An infusion of the bulbs can be used to treat colds as well, although I have not personally verified either medicinal use.

Cautions According To WebMD

Contra-Indications
Text

Possible Side Effects:
None Known

Possible Interactions:
None Known

Medicinal Actions:
Antihypertensive

Herbal Preparations For Allium tricoccum

Standard Infusion

Part Used: Bulbs
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of the fresh chopped bulbs into a quart mason jar. Fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours, or over night. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz As Needed

Tincture

Part Used: Bulbs
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.

Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh bulbs, then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 30-45 drops up to three times daily