Wild Leeks

Other names

Ramps

Native distribution

Native to the Finger Lakes Region

Cultivation

A slow-growing bulb that sends out 4-6"" long strap-shaped leaves in early spring. Wild leeks can carpet the ground, especially in localities where high deer browse has opened up the forest floor. Bulbs take 3-6 years to mature before flowering. Flower stalks emerge in summer after foliage has died back.
Light: full shade to part sun.
Moisture and Soil: moist to dry, rich soils or gravelly stream banks.

Propagation

Seed Treatment and Storage: Moist cold stratify 60-90 days. Ramp seeds are spotty germinators and usually do not emerge at the same time. They may take 1-2 years to germinate.

Biocultural value

Ramp bulbs and greens were (and still are) widely consumed both raw and cooked. The Huadenosaunee used it as a spring tonic that 'cleans you out.' Native americans also used the plant as an emetic, cold remedy, anthelmintic, and earache remedy.

The statements above were sourced from:

Native American Ethnobotany Database: http://naeb.BRIT Native American Ethnobotany Database.org/

Wildlife value

Ramp flowers attract several different kinds of bees, including Halictid bees, masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), honeybees (Apis spp.), bumblebees (Bombusspp.), and mason bees (Osmia spp.). Syrphid flies also visit the flowers to a lesser extent. Fly maggots (Delia antiqua, Eumerus spp., Tritoxa spp.) have been found on the bulbs of other Allium species, although it is not confirmed that they feed on ramp bulbs. Plant bugs (Lindbergocapsus ainsliei and Lindbergocapsus allii) and onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) may also feed on the plant and suck juices from the foliage, respectively.

Location

Purvis Road Wetlands Natural Area, Ringwood Ponds, Tarr-Young Preserve