Allium sativum
Garlic, Garlic
(c) Anthony Austin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alliaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Allium sativum (Garlic) is a non-native California herb in the Alliaceae family, recognized by distinctive large size, cloved bulb, and garlic characteristics.
Garlic is a naturalized perennial found in the Imperial Valley in disturbed areas and roadsides at elevations below 100 meters. Flowers are rarely observed, potentially appearing in subtle green to pink hues when present. Growing with robust stems 25 to 100 centimeters tall, this plant develops large bulbs 3 to 8 centimeters in diameter surrounded by 5 to 15 edible bulblets (cloves) with white to light brown outer coats. Its leaves are substantial, reaching 20 to 100 centimeters long and 5 to 20 millimeters wide, with finely toothed margins that partially sheath the stem. The plant is primarily known for its culinary bulbs, which form in clusters and replace typical flower structures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinctive large size, cloved bulb, and garlic characteristics
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: native possibly to southwestern Asia
How to tell it apart
vs Triteleia: Allium smells like onion when crushed; triplet lily has no smell.; vs Agapanthus: Allium smells like onion; lily-of-the-Nile has no smell and much larger flowers.; vs Dipterostemon: Allium smells like onion when crushed; ookow has no onion smell.; vs Nothoscordum: Allium smells like onion when crushed; false garlic has no smell.; vs Tulbaghia: Allium has flowers in tight umbels; society garlic has flowers in loose open clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Allium sativum native to California?
No. Allium sativum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Allium sativum belong to?
Allium sativum is in the Alliaceae family, genus Allium.
What habitat does Allium sativum grow in?
Allium sativum grows in Disturbed areas, roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.