Allium ursinum umbel of six to 20 white flowers only, lacking the bulbils produced by some other "Allium" species such as "Allium vineale" (crow garlic) and "Allium oleraceum" (field garlic). It flowers in the British Isles from April to June, starting before deciduous trees leaf in the spring. The flower stem is triangular in cross-section and the leaves are broadly lanceolate similar to those of the lily of the valley ("Convallaria majalis"). It is native to temperate regions of Europe, from Britain east to the Caucasus. It is common in much of the lowland British Isles with the exception of the far
Linnaeus' flower clock by Andrew Marvell, in his poem "The Garden" (1678): How well the skilful gardener drew<br> Of flow'rs and herbs this dial new;<br> Where from above the milder sun<br> Does through a fragrant zodiac run;<br> And, as it works, th' industrious bee<br> Computes its time as well as we.<br> How could such sweet and wholesome hours<br> Be reckoned but with herbs and flow'rs! Linnaeus' flower clock Linnaeus' flower clock was a garden plan hypothesized by Carl Linnaeus that would take advantage of several plants that open or close their flowers at particular times of the day to accurately indicate the time.