GARLIC, Allium sativum, a bulbous perennial plant of the family Liliaceae, indigenous apparently to south-west Siberia. It has long, narrow, flat, obscurely keeled leaves, a deciduous spathe, and a globose umbel of whitish flowers, among which are small bulbils. The bulb, which is the only part eaten, has membranous scales, in the axils of which are Io or 12 cloves, or smaller bulbs. From these new bulbs can be procured. The bulb has a strong and characteristic odour and an acrid taste, and yields an offensively smelling oil. This, when garlic has been eaten, is evolved by the excretory organs, the activity of which it promotes. From the earliest times garlic has been used as an article of diet.