Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Grassy |
| Maximum Height | 0.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Central Asia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Foliage | Broadly linear-lanceolate, scattered along the pesudostem; leaf-blade linear oblong, apex acute. |
|---|---|
| Stems | Real stem very short, flattened, forming a disk at the base of the bulb. Bulb depressed globular to ovoid, usually consisting of several bulbels (tiny secondary bulb) covered with protective bulb-coat leaves, whitish to purplish. Pseudostem formed by the sheathing base of successive leaves. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence a sub-spherical umbel with many bulblets and few flowers, protected by a membranous spathe. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves, Edible Flowers, Edible Seeds, Edible Roots, Edible Storage Organs Food (Herb or Spice): The bulb is the most commonly used part of the plant. It can be eaten raw or cooked as condiment for flavoring meat, fish and salads. Other parts of the garlic plant are also edible. The leaves and flower stems are sometimes used, they are rather milder than the bulbs. Medicinal: Garlic has been used for lowing the blood sugar and cholesterol levels and inhibiting thrombus formation. Externally, the juice can be use for wounds and stings to ease the pain. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Storage Organ (Bulb), Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Bulb) |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29213 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3522 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
