Wild Onion

Traditional Cree name: wîhcêkaskosiy

Latin name: Allium canadense

Common names: Canada garlic, wild onion, wild garlic, meadow onion

Family: Amaryllidaceae 

Kingdom: Plantae

~

Oki, Âba wathtech, Dānít’ádā, Tansi, Hello

Popping up over the dry prairie meadows and hillsides you may see my white or sometimes pale pink purplish flowers blooming upon what looks like a blade of grass from May to June. 

Alberta has four species of native wild onions, and yes I am a true onion as I am a member of the Allium family genus (onion family). Traditionally I was used in cooking, as a medicine and even as a medicine for horses. But don’t go harvesting me, I need to be harvested by experienced peoples only. The very poisonous and deadly Death Camus is my look a like, a deadly dead ringer! 

I attract butterfly’s and thrive in dry to moist conditions. My beautiful flowers add a delicate beauty to the garden, and as many onion family plants can help with deterring pests. Keeping those aphids, flea beetles, mosquitoes, spider mites and slugs at bay from eating our veggies and flowers. 

It’s good to meet you 

Learn more about the Project