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Tulbaghia alliacea - L.

Common Name Society Garlic
Family Alliaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sandy flats[245]. Clay or gravelly flats[282].
Range S. Africa - Cape province.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Tulbaghia alliacea Society Garlic


Tulbaghia alliacea Society Garlic

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Tulbaghia alliacea is a CORM growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

Bulb - cooked[183]. Leaves and stems - they can be cooked like spinach or chopped fine and used as a relish[183]. Flowers. They are regarded as a delicacy by the native Zulu women[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny sheltered position[200]. This species is hardy in the mildest areas of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[200]. However, it is in leaf during the winter and so is best grown with some protection such as a cold greenhouse or conservatory[200]. Plants grow from a cluster of small bulbs attached to a basal plate that is sometimes regarded as a rhizome[200]. The flowers are very fragrant at night[200]. Another report says that they have an unpleasant smell[245]. The whole plant has a powerful aroma of garlic[200, 245].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the greenhouse[200]. Sow stored seed in early spring in the greenhouse[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. If planting them outdoors, this is best done in late summer when the plants are dormant. Division of the dormant plants in late summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Tulbaghia violaceaSociety GarlicPerennial0.3 7-11 FLMHNM423

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Lillian King   Tue Oct 30 2007

Hi Can I increase my plant numbers by dividing the existing bulbs? If so, how do I go about doing this? Thx. Lillian

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