Plant Details

Allium tricoccum

Ramps

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Allium tricoccum.

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Common names

24 names · 10 languages
EnglishYour language
+11 more namesShow fewer names
  • ramson[1]
  • small white leek[1]
  • small wild leek[1]
  • three-seeded garlic[1]
  • three-seeded leek[1]
  • wide leek[1]
  • wide-leaved wild leek[1]
  • wild leek[1]
  • wild ramp[1]
  • wild ramps[1]
  • wood leek[1]
Other languages (9)
Dutch
  • Wilde look
French
  • Ail des bois[1]
Cherokee
  • ᎤᏩᏍᏗ[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 北美山葱[1]
  • 阔叶葱[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
Estonian
  • grislilauk[1]
Finnish
  • kielolaukka[1]
Lithuanian
  • Trižiedis česnakas[1]
Ojibwe
  • Bagwaji-zhigaagawinzh[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Allium tricoccum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • wide leek — results[1].names[1]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • wild leek — results[1].names[2]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • small wild leek — results[1].names[3]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • small white leek — results[1].names[4]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • ramp — results[1].names[5]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • wild ramp — results[1].names[6]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • ail des bois — results[1].names[8]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • ramps — results[1].names[9]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • wild ramps — results[1].names[10]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • grislilauk — results[1].names[11]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • Bagwaji-zhigaagawinzh — results[1].names[12]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • 阔叶葱 — results[1].names[13]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • 闊葉葱 — results[1].names[14]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • ᎤᏩᏍᏗ — results[1].names[15]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • wide-leaved wild leek — results[1].names[16]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • wood leek — results[1].names[17]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • three-seeded garlic — results[1].names[18]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • kielolaukka — results[1].names[19]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • ramp-scallions — results[1].names[20]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • 北美山葱 — results[1].names[21]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • ramson — results[1].names[22]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • three-seeded leek — results[1].names[23]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.
  • Trižiedis česnakas — results[1].names[24]; taxon id 55634; Allium tricoccum.

General information

Scientific name: Allium tricoccum
Accepted name (Kew): Allium tricoccum Aiton View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Amaryllidaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Allium (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Ramps
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Vegetable
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.15–0.3 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Spread: 0.3–0.61 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [2]
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5-9
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [2]
Soil:
High Organic Matter
Sources [2]
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Dappled Sunlight, Deep shade, Partial Shade
Sources [2]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Flowers, Root
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Companion plant, Repellent

Description

Bulb - can be consumed both raw and cooked. Mainly used as a flavoring in salads and savory dishes. This is one of the best wild North American varieties in terms of sweetness and flavor, with a mild sweetness reminiscent of leeks. The bulb is quite small, about 12 mm wide and 50 mm high, and grows in clusters from a rhizome. Leaves - can be eaten both raw and cooked. The sprouting leaves in spring have a mild sweet flavor similar to leeks. Flowers - edible in their raw form, are often used as a garnish in salads. They have a sharp onion aroma.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/05
Harvest ends: 30/06

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1169904; name ID 294888; Allium L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 259904; name ID 296824; Allium tricoccum Aiton.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Allium tricoccum — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateLightSoil moistureSoil texture
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture

    Source checked on .