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Caution, risk of confusion! Herbalist explains how to recognize wild garlic safely

2021-05-07T22:15:30.973Z


Many now collect wild garlic. But be careful: It's easy to mix up healthy wild vegetables. An Auer herbalist explains what to watch out for.


Many now collect wild garlic.

But be careful: It's easy to mix up healthy wild vegetables.

An Auer herbalist explains what to watch out for.

Au / Hallertau

- It was a fatal mix-up: As reported, a man from the Freising district had collected autumn crops instead of wild garlic - and died as a result of poisoning.

Herbal educator Rita Straßberger from Au explains how to recognize wild garlic and what should be considered when collecting wild herbs.

Recognize wild garlic: these are the characteristics

Wild garlic is a healthy wild vegetable that can be used in many ways in the kitchen, says Straßberger, who prefers to use it to cook soup or garnish salads. "Unfortunately, it often happens that wild garlic is confused with poisonous plants." Because in the wild garlic season from the beginning of March to the end of May there are also two plants that look similar - but are poisonous for humans: lily of the valley and autumn crocus.

According to Straßberger, the following characteristics must therefore be observed: “Wild garlic leaves have a clearly recognizable stem per leaf.

They are matt on the underside and also have a clearly recognizable leaf vein in the middle. ”Lily of the valley and autumn crocus, on the other hand, usually have two or three leaves.

The flowers also differ: those of the autumn crocus are purple, those of lily of the valley and wild garlic are both white.

"But while the wild garlic blossom is very delicate, you can recognize that of the lily of the valley - as the name suggests - by the bell shape," says the certified wild herb teacher.

Wild garlic or poisonous plant?

Don't rely on the smell

A distinguishing feature that is often mentioned, but is only of limited use, is the smell: "Wild garlic smells - unlike the other two plants - of garlic." on my fingers, I can no longer tell the difference. ”As an experienced collector, Straßberger also knows that wild garlic leaves crack when they are broken off.

"But inexperienced people do not notice this noise."

So if you are not 100 percent sure what is sprouting out of the ground in front of you, you should leave the plant where it is.

"In the worst case, it can unfortunately be fatal - and it's certainly not worth it."

Collect herbs yourself: These tips should be observed

Apart from that, Rita Straßberger has further tips for everyone who wants to collect herbs on their own: “You shouldn't be on the way directly on paths and streets.

Not everything is clean there, dog droppings are often lying around, and the emissions are also higher. ”In addition, you shouldn't pick too much so as not to endanger biodiversity.

And before you take something with you, you should really be absolutely sure.

“There are several plants with poisonous doppelgangers,” warns the expert.

For example healthy groundfish and poisonous hemlock.

Therefore, when in doubt, leave it where it is.

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Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-05-07

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