Allium sativum is a perennial bulbous plant growing to a height of about 2 ft. The plant is strong smelling when crushed and the underground portion consists of compound bulb with many fibrous rootlets. The bulb gives rise to a number of narrow keeled grass-like leaves above the ground. Leaf blade is linear, flat, solid 1–2.5 cm wide, 30–60 cm long with an acute apex. Inflorescence is umbellate with variable number of flowers on slender pedicels and fruit is a small loculicidal capsule. The main ovate bulb constitutes garlic and it is made up of 5–15 secondary bulbs, both being surrounded by common, white, dry, scaly leaves. The bulbs may be pink to white in colour with a strong disagreeable odor and a strong characteristic pungent aromatic taste that mellows with cooking.

Figure 9.5a Lehsun (Allium sativum)

Figure 9.5b Allium sativum-herb