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Society garlic

How to identify Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea)

Society garlic, also known as Pink agapanthus, Spring flowers

Society garlic displays a lush tuft of slender, grass-like blue-green leaves, each approximately 1 foot (30 cm) long and 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) wide. These leaves emit a pronounced garlic-like fragrance when touched or warmed by the sun. Flowering mainly from spring to fall, society garlic produces tall stalks reaching heights of 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm), crowned by umbels bearing 10 to 20 petite lavender flowers. The foliage remains evergreen and is resilient to cool temperatures down to approximately 23°F (-5°C).

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Society garlic

1

Linear, arching, grass-like leaves emit strong garlic scent when bruised.

2

Smooth, cylindrical stems with vibrant green color, resembling succulents.

3

Distinctive triangular fruit capsule with textured surface and black seeds.

4

Lilac-pink flowers on 20-inch stalks with fragrant, pointed tepals and tubular corolla.

5

Evergreen foliage resists cool temperatures, producing umbels of lavender flowers.

Society garlicSociety garlicSociety garlicSociety garlicSociety garlic

Detailed Traits of Society garlic

Leaf Features

The leaves of society garlic are linear, arching, and grass-like, typically reaching up to 1 foot (30 cm) in length. They are greyish-green with a smooth texture, arising from a tuberous rootstock. Each leaf has a distinctive spirally-arranged growth pattern and emits a strong garlic scent when bruised. The leaves are thin, with a fine linear structure, making them easily identifiable. Despite their slender appearance, the leaves are quite resilient and retain a consistent green shade throughout the growing season.

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Flower Features

Society garlic flowers are borne on 20-inch (50 cm) stalks, culminating in terminal umbels of fragrant lilac-pink blooms. Each flower measures approximately 3/4 inch (2 cm) in diameter and displays six pointed tepals surrounding a central tubular corolla. The aromatic purple flowers are arranged at the tips of stalked inflorescences, making them easy to identify. Society garlic typically blooms in mid-summer, presenting a striking and fragrant display.

Society garlic Flower image
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Stem Features

Society garlic features smooth, cylindrical stems that reach up to 20 inches (50 cm) in height. These stems are a vibrant green, maintaining a consistent coloration throughout. The texture is notably smooth and non-woody, giving it an almost succulent-like appearance. With a uniform thickness, the stems do not exhibit significant branching, instead rising singularly from the base of the plant. This characteristic, along with the smooth surface texture, makes it a distinguishing feature of society garlic.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of society garlic comprises triangular capsules that measure around 0.4 inches (1 cm) in length. These capsules split open when mature, revealing a collection of small, glossy black seeds. The exterior of the capsules is slightly textured, adding to their distinctive appearance. Observing these triangular capsules and their unique split mechanism is key for accurately identifying the fruit of society garlic.

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Key Facts About Society garlic

Attributes of Society garlic
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
60 cm
Spread
25 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Gray
Silver
Flower Size
2 cm
Flower Color
Purple
Pink
Blue
Lavender
Violet
Stem Color
Green
Gray
Silver
Purple
Leaf type
Evergreen
The Toxicity of Society garlic
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Scientific Classification of Society garlic

Family
Amaryllis
Icon allow
Species
Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea)
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Distribution Map of Society garlic

Society garlic is indigenous to the southernmost parts of the African continent, where it flourishes in a variety of settings. Beyond its native habitat, society garlic has been introduced and can now be found growing in regions of Central America and Eastern Africa. This resilient plant has also been widely cultivated, indicative of its adaptability to diverse environments outside its original range.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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