Nothoscordum gracile aka Fragrant False Garlic

Nothoscordum gracile is a bulbous perennial in the amaryllis family. Common names include slender false garlic, honeybells, and sweet-scented garlic. Its native range spans southeastern Mexico to southern South America. Kew places it in a subtropical climate. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. People grow it for its scent, flowers, and edible bulbs. It also grows wild and escapes from gardens.

Plants reach about 1.5–1.6 feet [0.45–0.5 metres] tall. An underground bulb gives rise to a rosette of spear-shaped leaves. The flowers have a strong, sweet scent that recalls lilies. They open late in the afternoon. Plants For A Future lists flowering from May to June. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the blooms. Seeds ripen from July to August.

Give this plant full sun and soil that drains well. It prefers light, sandy ground but also grows in loam. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soil. The soil may be dry or moist. Plants For A Future says it cannot grow in shade. That source lists USDA hardiness zones 6–9. Suggested garden sites include beds and sunny woodland edges. Wild plants occur beside roads, in woods, and on disturbed ground. Growers can raise plants from seed or divide their offsets. Divide offsets after the leaves die back in summer.

Its spread poses a serious problem in gardens and fields. Useful Tropical Plants describes it as invasive and hard to remove. One plant can form 20–50 small bulbs each year. Moving soil or ploughing can spread these bulbs to new sites. A plant can also produce up to 2,000 seeds annually. Many of those seeds remain able to sprout. Both seeds and bulbs help infestations persist. It has become an established weed in many countries beyond its native range. Its scent and garden use must be weighed against this risk.

The bulb measures about 0.05 feet [0.015 metres] across. People eat it raw or cooked as a garlic substitute. They also use it to season food. Some gather wild bulbs, while others grow it as a food crop. Plants For A Future gives it a modest food-use rating. Both plant-use sources report no known hazards. This does not establish safety for pets. Plants For A Future lists no known medicinal uses.