Garlic mustard was introduced to the United States in the mid-1800s by early European settlers who brought the plant from Europe and Asia for its medicinal and herbal qualities and ability to control erosion. Garlic mustard, or Alliaria petiolata, was introduced from Europe and Asia. Since its introduction, this plant has become invasive throughout most of the United States.
The species gets its name from the garlic smell when leaves are crushed. A. petiolata., has a two-year life cycle, making the plant a biennial. The life cycle consists of two stages where the plant can look different and be more challenging to recognize, especially in the first year. In the first year, the leaves tend to be rounder, grow in a bunch out of the base, and have less serration than in the second year. During the second and last year of its life cycle, A. petiolata leaves are triangular and heart-shaped with toothed edges and leaves that grow up the stem. In Indiana, garlic mustard starts to bloom in March and continues through April, producing small, white, four-petaled flowers.
Below the differences in first and second year plants are illustrated. Curious to learn more about how to eat garlic mustard?
Used with permission “From Foraging & Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook by Dina Falconi; illustrated by Wendy Hollender. https://www.botanicalartspress.com/“
GARLIC MUSTARD (Alliaria petiolata) Garlic mustard has a two-year life cycle, and one plant can produce more than 7,000 seeds before dying. © Rachel Rogge
A. petiolata, threatens native plants and animals since they compete with natives and take over valuable resources. This invasive can produce over 10,000 seeds that remain viable for up to five years, meaning that if you pull all the garlic mustard out of an area, you could have even more to worry about in years to come. Due to their ability to take over an area, they can inhibit light penetrating the forest floor, killing ground cover and eliminating the chances of other plants’ growth. Garlic mustard is not too picky as to where it can grow; it can do well in shade and full sun and is found in meadows, forests, roadsides, and woodlands.
The key to combating this invasive plant is to be able to recognize it in both of its stages of life. If the plant can be caught in the first year or even the second year before going to seed, it can prevent thousands of potential new plants that could arise. When pulling this plant, get the whole taproot to prevent it from popping up again. To fully eradicate garlic mustard in an area, pulling may need to be done repeatedly for up to five years since seeds can remain viable for that long (not to mention new seeds that could be introduced to the area).
Here at Wellfield Botanic Gardens, we do yearly garlic mustard pulls that occur mainly in the Woodland garden, where the invasive tends to pop up the most. We will work on pulling all these invasive species in the garden before they go to seed. Look out for garlic mustard in your yard and work on eradicating this invasive species with us!
Ariana Guerrero
Horticulturist
