Crowpoison.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial bulb

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

12 inches

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 6 to 10

Bloom time

Early spring to early summer

Care

Plant these bulbs in well draining soil where they can soak up plenty of sun. Watch for yellowing leaves as the plant enters dormancy in the heat of summer. It is a very low maintenance plant that mostly takes care of itself.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring to support blooming.

Pruning

Remove dead foliage only after the leaves have turned brown and withered.

Repotting

Repot only when the bulbs become too crowded in their container.

Soil

Well draining sandy or loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-23 to 35°C

Humidity

30 to 70%

Safety

People

The plant contains compounds that may cause mild irritation if ingested in large quantities.

Pets

This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

Children

Keep away from young children as the bulbs can be a choking hazard and ingestion may cause stomach upset.

Contact allergens

Handling the bulbs or foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can cause mild allergic reactions in some people during the peak bloom period.

Edibility

While often called false garlic, it is not recommended for consumption as it can cause digestive upset.

How to identify it

• Narrow grass like leaves
• White star shaped flowers
• Flowers have yellow centers
• Lacks onion scent when crushed
• Small bulbous root system

Height

0.15 to 0.3m

Spread

0.05 to 0.1m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, yellow, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

black, late summer

Problems to watch for

• Bulb rot · Occurs when the soil remains too wet for extended periods.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, division

When to plant

autumn, spring

Plant these in groups of five or more to create a naturalized look in a sunny meadow or rock garden.

Grows well with

• Blue-eyed Grass · They share similar moisture and light requirements in meadow settings.
• Prairie Phlox · This plant provides a nice color contrast to the white flowers of the false garlic.

Similar species

• Wild Onion · It looks similar but has a strong onion scent and different flower structure.

Science

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Genus

Nothoscordum

Order

Asparagales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Central and southeastern United States and parts of Mexico.

Conservation

It is widespread and common throughout its native range and not of conservation concern.

It survives by forming small bulbs that allow it to persist through dry periods and winter dormancy.

Value to wildlife

early season nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

rock gardens, naturalized meadows, pollinator gardens

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant invasive?

It can spread readily by seed in ideal conditions but is generally considered a native wildflower rather than an invasive pest.

Does it smell like garlic?

No, unlike true wild onions, this plant lacks the pungent sulfurous odor.

Where the name comes from

The name Nothoscordum comes from the Greek words for false and garlic, referring to its resemblance to Allium species. The specific epithet bivalve refers to the two bracts that enclose the flower buds.

Good to know

• It is commonly known as the false garlic or crow poison.
• The flowers are star shaped and often have a faint, sweet fragrance.
• It is a very resilient plant that can thrive in poor, rocky soils.
• The plant goes dormant during the hottest parts of the summer.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs