Garlic Mustard
Alliara petiolata
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"HEDGE GARLIC" by pete. #hwcp is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
About
About
Alliara petiolata, or Garlic Mustard, is an herbaceous member of the mustard family. Initially brought over from Europe for food and medical purposes, this species quickly grew out of hand and spread from coast to coast. The species is a biennial weed; it grows in the first year and sets seeds and flowers in the second year.
"Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)" by Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
"Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)" by Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
"Garlic Mustard starting to bolt" by Wendell Smith is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Identifying Features
Year One (basal year)
Kidney-bean-shaped leaves with rounded teeth
The leaves form a basal rosette, which means they all emerge from one underground stem
The leaves produce a garlic odor when crushed
Generally less than 8 inches tall
Year Two (bolt year)
One to three feet tall
Toothed, triangular leaves
Clusters of small, white, four-petaled flowers
Leaves and stems give a garlic odor when crushed
"File:'Jack-by-the-hedge' or Garlic Mustard - geograph.org.uk - 417433.jpg" by John Fielding is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
"Garlic Mustard" by Smoobs is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Ecosystem Impacts
Ecosystem Impacts
Garlic Mustard threatens ecosystem biodiversity
Seeds spring up earlier than native seeds, giving Garlic Mustard full access to sunlight and vital nutrients
Garlic Mustard also adjusts the soil chemistry, changing fungi networks connecting the roots of native plants
A single plant can produce thousands of seeds
Removal Techniques
Removal Techniques
Pull out smaller infestations when the soil is moist and before plants have set seed
Cut larger infestations at ground level when flowering begins
Make sure to bag all pulled plants
Unlike other invasive species, Garlic Mustard can't regenerate from root fragments
You can find more information about chemical control on PennState's Extension website, which we linked under "References" below
Native Alternatives
Native Alternatives
"Scarlet Flame Creeping Phlox" by patrick_standish is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Creeping Phlox
Low-growing plant which blooms colorful flowers
"Foam flower" by Tom Anderson is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Foam Flower
Heart-shaped leaves with small, star-shaped flowers
"Athyrium distentifolium americanum (Alpine Lady-fern)" by brewbooks is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Lady Fern
Deciduous fern with feathery, bright green fronds
"Wild Ginger" by Mount Rainier NPS is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Wild Ginger
Spring wildflower with purplish-brown flowers
References
References
"Invasive Plants in Your Backyard!" by the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District
Identifying Features
Removal Techniques
Native Alternatives
"Garlic Mustard" on PennState Extension
About
Identifying Features
Ecosystem Impacts
Removal Techniques
"Garlic Mustard: Invasive, Destructive, and Edible" on The Nature Conservancy
Ecosystem Impacts
Removal Techniques
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