Every spring, I see the same thing: foragers heading out to the woods to hunt for wild ramps (also known as wild garlic). But there’s a major safety warning you need to hear before you grab your basket. The leaves of the Meadow Saffron (also called Autumn Crocus) look incredibly similar to wild ramps, and for a beginner, it’s an easy mistake to make. The catch? Meadow Saffron is highly toxic.
How to Spot Meadow Saffron Leaves
Nature is full of “toxic twins”—poisonous plants that mimic edible ones. Meadow Saffron is the ultimate double for wild ramps, so if you’re planning on foraging, you really need to know the difference. It’s the only way to stay safe out there!
Here are the tell-tale signs of a Meadow Saffron leaf:
- It doesn’t have an individual stem for each leaf.
- Instead, several leaves wrap around a single central stalk.
- The leaves feel thick and fleshy.
- There is no visible central vein running through the leaf.
- The leaves can grow quite large, up to 15 inches long.
Flowers and Leaves: A Game of Hide and Seek
One of the most unique (and dangerous) things about Meadow Saffron is that its flowers and leaves never show up at the same time. This is actually a common trait among many poisonous plants. If you plant Meadow Saffron in mid-summer, it will bloom in the fall. The leaves won’t even poke out of the ground until the following spring.
Another big difference is the scent. Meadow Saffron leaves are completely odorless. Wild ramps, on the other hand, have that unmistakable, pungent garlic aroma. But a word of caution: don’t rely on the “sniff test” alone! If you’ve been picking ramps and then touch a Meadow Saffron leaf, your fingers will already smell like garlic, which can trick you into thinking the toxic leaf is safe.
Before you pick anything, take a close look at how the plant grows. With wild ramps, every single leaf has its own distinct stem. Meadow Saffron doesn’t have individual stems; its leaves bundle together and wrap around the base, much like a leek. Stay safe and happy foraging!
