Appearance
"Allium ursinum" is a bulbous, perennial herbaceous monocot, that reproduces primarily by seed. The narrow bulbs are formed from a single leaf base and produce bright green entire, elliptical leaves up to 25 cm long x 7 cm wide with a petiole up to 20 cm long. The inflorescence is an umbel of six to 20 white flowers, lacking the bulbils produced by some other "Allium" species such as "Allium vineale" and "Allium oleraceum".: 394 : 902 The flowers are star-like with six white tepals, about 16–20 mm in diameter, with stamens shorter than the perianth.It flowers in the British Isles from April to June,: 394 starting before deciduous trees leaf in the spring. The flower stem is triangular in cross-section and the leaves are broadly lanceolate, similar to those of the toxic lily of the valley.
Naming
The Latin specific name "ursinum" translates to 'bear' and refers to the supposed fondness of the brown bear for the bulbs; folk tales describe the bears consuming them after awakening from hibernation. Another theory is that the ""ursinum"" may refer to Ursa Major, as "A. ursinum" was perhaps one of the most northerly distributed "Allium" species known to the ancient Greeks, though this hypothesis is disputed. Common names for the plant in many languages also make reference to bears.Cows love to eat them, hence the modern vernacular name of cows's leek. In Devon, dairy farmers have occasionally had the milk of their herds rejected because of the garlic flavour imparted to it by the cows having grazed upon the plant.
Ramsons is from the Saxon word "hramsa", meaning "garlic". There is evidence it has been used in English cuisine since Celtic Britons over 1,500 years ago.
Early healers among the Celts, Gaels, Teutonic tribes and ancient Romans were familiar with the wild herb and called it "herba salutaris", meaning 'healing herb'.
Distribution
It is native to temperate regions of Europe, from Ireland east to the Caucasus. It is common in much of the lowlands of the British Isles with the exception of the far north of Scotland, Orkney, Shetland, and the Channel Islands. The "ursinum" subspecies is found in western and central Europe, while the "ucrainicum" subspecies is found in the east and southeast.
Habitat
It grows in deciduous woodlands with moist soils, preferring slightly acidic conditions. In the British Isles, colonies are frequently associated with bluebells, especially in ancient woodland. It is considered to be an ancient woodland indicator species.As its name suggests, "A. ursinum" is an important food for brown bears. The plant is also a favourite of wild boar."A. ursinum" is the primary larval host plant for a specialised hoverfly, ramsons hoverfly.
The flowers are pollinated by bees.
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