Caucas

Caucas is an alternative term for wild garlic, the pungent woodland herb also known as ramsons, Allium ursinum. Its broad green leaves and starry white flowers carpet deciduous woods in spring, and foragers gather the leaves for pesto, soups and salads with a mild garlic flavour. Foragers must identify it carefully, as the toxic leaves of lily of the valley look similar before flowering. Crushing a leaf releases the unmistakable garlic scent that confirms it. Spring markets in garlic-growing regions celebrate it with festivals and seasonal dishes.