199 



THE BROAD=LEAVED WOOD GARLIC OR RAMSONS. 



{Allium ursinum). 



(plate XI.). 



jAS. E. Mcdonald. 



Stockport. 



Eat Leekes in Lide [March], and Ramsins in May, 

 And all the year after physitians may play. 



— Old Proverb, 



Who has not formed some acquaintance with the repelHng 

 garhc odour of this native of moist woods, when its bright, 

 lily-of-the-valley-hke leaves have been trampled upon in order 

 perhaps to pluck a few of its dainty-looking flowers ? 



Like the odours given off by some animals when in danger, 

 this pungent garlic smell is protective, and tends to repel 

 enemies who might otherwise browse upon the plant. In spite 

 of this, cattle will eat the leaves, much to the annoyance of 

 the dairyman, as the milk and butter is tainted thereby. 



If it were not for the unbearable odour when plucked, the 

 flowers would be in great demand for bouquets ; though when 

 undisturbed, there is only a faint odour of garlic. 



If the flower stalks be held gently whilst they are being cut, 

 and the cut ends are wrapped with moist paper until they are 

 carried home, there to be placed in water, the unpleasant 

 odour passes away. One writer remarks that ' a flower in the 

 midst of a bunch of forget-me-not, makes one of the sweetest 

 mixtures of the season.' 



No doubt both the striking appearance and the odour of 

 the unbruised flowers serve to attract insects to the honey for 

 the purpose of pollination. The insects seen by the writer 

 on the flowers have been chiefly small humble bees and flies. 

 Hive bees are said to have a great objection to the garlic smell, 

 nothing vexing them more than this plant being thrown 

 amongst them*. Of course, in this case, the odour caused by 

 bruising would be pungent. 



The umbels of from 12 to 20 or even 30 moderate sized 

 flowers are raised above the foliage by the three angled peduncle 

 (scape) during May and June. Previous to their opening, they 

 are enclosed by a papery envelope (spathe) composed of two 

 coherent bracts which are split apart as the flowers open. 



* Buxton's 'Botanical Guide' (1849). 

 1909 May I. J 



