Crow Poison (Nothoscordum bivalve)

Crow Poison: A Deceptive Spring Bloomer

Crow Poison (Nothoscordum bivalve), also called Wild Garlic or False Garlic, is a small bulbous perennial native to the southern US and Latin America. It produces loose umbels of white, star-shaped flowers with a green midrib on 6-10 inch stems in early spring. The narrow, grass-like leaves emerge in winter. Despite the name "wild garlic," it lacks the strong onion/garlic odor of true Allium species.

Identification and Habitat

It is often confused with wild onion but can be distinguished by the lack of onion scent and the solid (not hollow) flowering stems. It naturalizes readily in lawns, meadows, and open woods. Synonyms include Allium bivalve, Allium geminatum, Allium ornithogaloides, Allium sellowianum, and Allium striatellum. It is not considered edible.

Taxonomy

• Family: Alliaceae
• Genus: Nothoscordum
• Species: bivalve
• Synonyms: Allium bivalve, Allium geminatum, Allium ornithogaloides, Allium sellowianum, Allium striatellum