Jack by the Hedge (Alliaria), Anselmus Boëtius de Boodt, 1596 - 1610
brush, h 310mm × w 190mm More details
It is unclear where the name ‘Jack by the hedge’ came from. It is thought that it may stem from the slang ‘jacks’ for toilet due to its smell; when rubbing the leaves the plant releases a garlicky smell. Despite its other nickname, hedge garlic, it is botanically unrelated to garlic species. However, it was and still is often used in cooking.
