Garlic (Allium sativum) is a bulbous perennial plant belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, making it a close relative of onions, leeks, and chives. While cultivated primarily for its pungent underground bulb, the plant also produces a reproductive structure often called a flower. This structure is a complex, terminal cluster that rarely produces true, viable seeds.
Detailed Anatomy and Appearance
The structure that emerges above the foliage begins as a long, firm stalk known as a scape. This scape is typically bright green and exhibits a distinctive curl as it grows upward from the center of the plant. At the tip of the scape is a spherical cluster called the umbel, which is the head of the reproductive structure.
Before the umbel opens, it is encased in a pointed, papery layer called the spathe. Once the spathe splits away, it reveals the contents of the umbel, generally a mix of sterile florets and small, vegetative clones. The tiny florets are the true flowers, often exhibiting colors that range from white or greenish-white to a soft pinkish-white hue.
The majority of the umbel’s contents are not flowers but rather small, teardrop-shaped bulblets known as bulbils. These bulbils are miniature, ready-to-plant versions of garlic cloves that serve as a form of asexual reproduction. Because garlic has been selectively bred to focus energy on the underground bulb, the true flowers that emerge are frequently sterile and do not mature into seed-bearing capsules.
Hardneck Versus Softneck Flowering
The presence of this flowering structure is the most reliable way to distinguish between the two major types of cultivated garlic. Hardneck garlic (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon) consistently produces the rigid, central flowering stalk. The stiff, woody nature of this stem is the origin of the “hardneck” name, as it prevents the harvested bulb from being braided.
Hardneck varieties require vernalization—a period of cold temperatures—to trigger the growth of this scape. They direct energy toward this reproductive strategy, resulting in bulbs that have fewer, but generally larger, cloves arranged in a single ring around the central stalk. This type of garlic is favored in regions with colder winters.
In contrast, Softneck garlic (Allium sativum var. sativum) rarely initiates the growth of a central flowering scape. Instead, this variety channels its energy almost exclusively into the development of the underground bulb. This strategy leads to bulbs with numerous cloves, often arranged in multiple concentric layers, and a soft, pliable neck when harvested.
Because they lack the stiff central stalk, softneck varieties are traditionally used to create braided garlic ropes and are better suited for warmer climates.
The Edibility and Purpose of the Garlic Scape
The scape is a seasonal delicacy that is fully edible and highly valued in the kitchen. When harvested young, the scape has a texture similar to asparagus and offers a milder, more delicate garlic flavor than the mature bulb. The flavor profile is often described as grassy with notes of shallots or chives, and it becomes sweeter when cooked.
Gardeners and commercial growers remove the scape for a practical reason related to energy conservation. If the scape remains on the plant, the garlic diverts significant energy into developing the umbel and its bulbils. Removing the scape before it straightens forces the plant to redirect that available energy back down to the underground bulb.
This redirection of resources is a simple horticultural technique that can significantly increase the size of the harvested bulb. The optimal time for removal is when the scape has formed its first complete curl. The harvested scapes are then utilized in a variety of dishes, including pestos, stir-fries, and roasted vegetable preparations.