Tulbaghia alliacea aka Trumpet Garlic

Tulbaghia alliacea also goes by the name society garlic. It is part of the amaryllis family. It grows in southern tropical Africa and southern Africa. Its range takes in Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. It also grows in Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa. Wild plants grow on flats of sand, clay, and gravel. They also grow in wet meadows and lowland swamps. Some grow on bare ground.

This small plant is a perennial: it lives for years. Its thin, grass-like leaves form rings called rosettes. It reaches about 0.8–1 foot (0.25–0.3 metres) tall. It has no leafy stem above the ground. Small bulbs share a base that some sources call a rhizome. This swollen base can reach about 0.33 feet (0.1 metres) long. The plant often keeps its leaves all year. Cold or dry spells can make it go dormant. All parts give off a strong garlic smell.

Plants For A Future gives June to September as bloom time. Each flower has both male and female organs. Flies carry pollen to the blooms. Plants grown from seed may bloom within one or two years. Reports differ on how the flowers smell. Some note a strong scent at night. Others find the smell unpleasant. Bear this in mind when you choose a planting site.

Grow it in sun, with shelter and soil that drains well. It suits sandy or loamy soil and prefers moist ground. The soil can be slightly acid, neutral, or slightly alkaline. Sources say it can stand brief cold down to about 23°F (−5°C). In Britain, grow it outdoors only in the mildest areas. Leaves may stay through winter, so cover can help. PFAF advises shelter in a cold greenhouse or conservatory. Suggested sites include beds by walls that face south or west.

People sometimes grow it for its looks or gather it for food. Cooks use the bulbs after cooking them. They also cook leaves and stems as greens. They can chop leaves and stems finely for a relish. The flowers are edible too. Both plant databases report no known hazards. Neither gives an assessment of safety for pets. PFAF lists no use as medicine. Useful Tropical Plants says local people gather it for medicine. The sources also differ on its chance of spreading. PFAF lists no weed potential. Useful Tropical Plants reports that it grows as a garden weed. Grow new plants from seed, or divide dormant plants in late summer.