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Definition of society garlic
society garlic
society garlic Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
10
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A clump-forming perennial flowering plant (Tulbaghia violacea) native to southern Africa, characterized by grass-like leaves and umbels of lilac flowers, often cultivated as an ornamental garden plant and used as a mild, garlic-flavored culinary herb.
Example
"For a drought-tolerant border that deters deer and provides edible flowers, many landscapers recommend planting society garlic."
Word Origin & Etymology
The name stems from the belief that, unlike true garlic, consuming this plant provides a mild garlic flavor without giving the eater pungent bad breath, thereby making it acceptable to consume before mingling in polite society.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Society garlic. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/society garlic