Garlic

The Arabic name thōm and the Qur’ānic name fūm have been used for garlic.

There is a singular mention of garlic in the Qur’ān, where on their journey from Egypt the Israelites plead with Moses to ask God to add variety to their monotonous diet.

Growing up to 1.5 metres tall, the flowering heads produce bulbils (miniature clone plants) that are capable of growing into new plants when they fall to the ground.

It is thought that garlic and onions were first domesticated in the mountainous regions of central Asia.

Painted from specimens found in the Jebel Akhdar area of Oman, and Blenheim in New Zealand.

Grows at Kew in Edible Science: Kew’s Kitchen Garden.

Completed painting size: 54 x 77 cm.
Watercolour on paper