Tulbaghia violacea aka Society Garlic

Taxonomy

Tulbaghia violacea, also known as society garlic, is a clump-forming perennial with narrow leaves and large clusters of fragrant, violet flowers. Indigenous to southern Africa, it is a tender plant with good drought and heat tolerance, but does best with adequate moisture during the growing season. Leaves and rootstock have a strong garlic smell when bruised, and the edible flowers have an oniony to peppery flavor and may be eaten raw or cooked. Various preparations made from this plant are extensively used for the treatment of microbial infections, as it contains the thiosulfinate marasmicin - the key antimicrobial compound enzymatically formed upon tissue disruption. The antimicrobial activity of marasmicin is comparable to allicin, the prominent bioactive compound of garlic. However, the content of marasmicin can be dramatically affected by storage conditions and subsequent treatment of the plant material. To achieve significant antimicrobial effects, it is essential to avoid exposing the plant to elevated temperatures (e.g., during drying). To maximize marasmicin formation, it is advisable to use freshly gathered plants and homogenize them in water as finely as possible. Extracts of T. violacea should be kept at low temperatures to retain their antimicrobial activity. Society garlic is also known as pink agapanthus, wild garlic, sweet garlic, spring bulbs, or spring flowers and reportedly naturalized in Tanzania and Mexico.

Common names

Society Garlic, Common Garlic, Lawn Trumpets

How to care for Society Garlic

Difficulty

Caring for Society Garlic is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Society Garlic should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Society Garlic loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Society Garlic requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Common Garlic is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Society Garlic should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

Clumping is a defining characteristic of the Society Garlic, with new growth appearing from the soil surrounding the primary plant.

Region of origin

Society Garlic’s native range is S. Africa - Eastern Cape, Transvaal.


More info:
Wikipedia