Nothoscordum bivalve is a perennial herb growing from a bulb about a centimeter wide. It produces one erect stem, or occasionally two. They grow up to 40 centimetres (16in) tall. There are one to four narrow leaves up to 30 centimetres (12in) long. The inflorescence is an umbel of 3 to 6 flowers, or sometimes up to 10. There are two bracts at the base of the umbel. The flower has six whitish tepals, each of which usually has a dark reddish midvein.[2] The flower does not smell of onion.[4] It can have a fragrant scent. The fruit is a capsule.[2]
This is a common plant which grows in parks and on roadsides, and soils which are not too dry or too wet;[4] it grows well in lawns. It is a favorite nectar source for small butterflies such as the falcate orangetip. It has been observed to be nyctinastic, or closing at night, which contributes to its mechanical self pollination.[5]
Uses
The bulbs can be gathered any time of year and eaten cooked. They possess a faint garlic flavor.[6]
↑ Thayer, Samuel (2023). Sam Thayer's field guide to edible wild plants of eastern and central North America. Weyerhaeuser, WI 54895: Forager's Harvest. p.259. ISBN978-0-9766266-4-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
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