I have a plant coming up in an herb garden which has been neglected for years. We are taking what we can out, and then we will let the pigs have the run of the place here in a few days. This plant grows a thin stalk on top of which grows a small thing that looks like a clove of garlic. I guess it could be a bud, but every year the doggone vines drag it down before anything else could be seen about it. I had found something in a book which made me think it might be "wood garlic" I am about to transplant what look like leeks in terms of the shape of the roots, but the leaves aren't like leeks. They definitely smell like something powerful, though! Could these be an ornamental onions, or what? They have come back every year. Thanks, Debbie
If the stem grows straight up with a "clove" on top, it's probably a top setting onion (egyptian onion, walking onion), if it curls around and then up, it is probably rocambole, a top setting type of garlic. If it smells powerful and looks like a leek, it may be ramp. http://www.loc.gov/bicentennial/propage/TN/tn-1_h_jenkins5.html
Are mine Egyptian Onions too? Man are they yummy! They look smaller than the ones I saw online: PS. This is the first time I've figured out how to post a picture. FINALLY!