Garlic, Elephant—Allium ampeloprasum L. (Ampeloprasum group)1
Elephant or greatheaded garlic is closely related to leek (Porrum group). This form of garlic produces very large bulbs that may weigh a pound or more. These huge bulbs consist of enlarged cloves, usually six per bulb. The cloves are milder than those of regular garlic, so that some people eat them raw.
Credit: James M. Stephens
Description
The plant is quite large, but otherwise resembles the ordinary garlic. It flowers rapidly, forming a round composite flower head at the top of a long (12–18 inches) seed stalk called a scape. This scape is solid and becomes rather woody very quickly. Leaves are flat and thin.
Culture
Elephant garlic is a vigorous plant in Florida gardens, as well as most other areas of the country. Space cloves 12 inches apart at planting and grow the same as onions. Starts are available through seed company catalogs.
