Garlic: An Herb Society of America Guide
Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon
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Genus: Allium
Species: sativum
Variety: ophioscorodon
Common names: rocambole, serpent garlic, hardneck garlic, topsetting garlic
Characteristics:
- hardneck (woody central stalk)
- curved or coiled flower stalk
- bulbils
- white, purple or pink flowers
- smaller bulbs and fewer cloves (4-14), but cloves are of uniform size and arranged in a single layer around stalk; easy peeling cloves
- smooth-edged leaves
- often considered gourmet due to flavor and limited availability
- short storing
- requires cold winters for optimum growth
hardneck bulb with stalk
- Purple Stripe – named for color of bulb wrappers; often used as ornamentals due to beauty of curved flower stem
- Porcelain – very large cloves; longest-storing hardneck, grows well in Midwest
- Rocambole – large cloves; flower stalk forms multiple coils; shortest storage time
 A. sativum var.ophioscorodon in flower |
 curving scape of A. sativum var. ophioscorodon |
Next variety: Allium sativum var. pekinense