ID Guide: Three-cornered Leek

Common names: Three-cornered Leek, three-cornered garlic, snowbell

Latin: Allium triquetrum

Appearance: Three-cornered leek is so called because in profile the long green leaves make a ‘V’ shape. The plant is known to flower at any time of year (sometime twice a year), and the flowers look like white bluebells. They have six petals, each with a green stripe up the middle. 

Where: Three-cornered leek is an invasive species that is not hugely common, but spreading fast where it is established. It can be found anywhere from gardens to woodlands.

How to forage: All parts of the plant are edible, so uproot it using a trowel. In doing so, you also help prevent the spread of an invasive species.

When: All year round.

How to use: The roots of the younger plant can be used like baby leek or spring onion, and more mature roots like onion and garlic. The leaves and flowers can be used in salads, or like leeks in soups and stews.