During its flowering period, poisonous autumn crocus poses little danger. It becomes problematic when the leaves bloom in spring, which is the best time to collect wild garlic. If the plants are mixed up, there is a risk of life-threatening symptoms of poisoning. Read here how you can clearly identify the leaves of autumn crocus.
How do I recognize the leaf of the autumn crocus?
The leaf of the autumn crocus is thick-fleshed, has no visible median nerve and reaches up to 40 cm in length, with several leaves emerging from a single stem. In contrast, wild garlic is single-stemmed, shiny on the top and dull on the bottom, with a lanceolate, tapering shape.
Identification features of autumn crocus leaf at a glance
The leaf of autumn crocus has various properties that enable it to be distinguished from harmless plants such as wild garlic. The following overview gives you clear characteristics of the poisonous foliage so that you never confuse it again:
- Multiple leaves sprout from a single stem, similar to leeks
- The thick-fleshed leaf has no visible median nerve
- The foliage reaches a length of up to 40 cm
In contrast, each wild garlic leaf is individually stalked. The top is slightly shiny, while the bottom appears matte. You will not find a leaf sheath on wild garlic. Furthermore, the lanceolate leaf tapers to a point at the end.
Autumn crocus always blooms without leaves
The outstanding feature of the poisonous plant is that flowers and leaves never appear at the same time. A few weeks after planting, an autumn crocus produces its crocus-like flowers. Only in the following spring, when the flowers have long since withered, do the leaves emerge. By the way, this is the best time for effective combat.
How the smell test works
You shouldn't rely on visual appearance alone when collecting wild garlic. If you still have any doubts as to whether you are looking at the leaf of autumn crocus or wild garlic, carry out the smell test. To do this, rub the leaves between your fingers and sniff them. Don't smell the unmistakable garlic scent of wild garlic now, hold the poisonous plant in your hands.
