Garlic Mustard has successfully invaded nearly the entire East Coast of North America, the Midwest, and Pacific Northwest This plant is not heavily utilized by native insects or mammals/herbivores – aka nothing really eats it. Because garlic mustard seeds are numerous and very small, they are easily spread through a number means. What does garlic mustard look like? How Does Garlic Mustard Lure and Kill the West Virginia White Butterfly? Native plants, such as dutchman's breeches, hepatica, trilliums, bloodroot, wild ginger, are very susceptible to this aggressive plant. The green leaves are heart-shaped with toothed edges and have a garlicky odour when crushed. For individual plants or small areas, you can yank them out if the soil is damp. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The best time to apply is in early spring before the plants flower or late fall. Today, it's the dominant plant on the forest floor in the eastern part of the country. It can be spread by transporting mud that contains its tiny seeds, so it is often found along highly-trafficked trails. But you're in luck. email@example.com. However, the seeds were still viable as evidenced by the rapid and numerous new garlic mustard seedlings that sprouted. Garlic mustard also produces root exudates that inhibit the growth of important soil fungi and leaf chemicals that kill native butterfly larvae that feed on the plant. | Because the understory of a forest is so important for insects and other species at the bottom of the food chain, invaders like garlic mustard can weaken the entire ecosystem. If you have a lot of garlic mustard, hand-pulling may take too long. Garlic mustard [Alliaria petiolata (Bieb. Simply so, what damage does garlic mustard do? I am including a link from MSU with more … In addition, invertebrates and other consumers that rely on these natural plant species for food are harmed by the spread of this invasive "weed". Add garlic, chives, dijon mustard and french mustard then whisk with a fork for about 2 - 3 mins until sauce is thick and creamy (see notes) Notes When you first add the ingredients and mix this sauce it … They tend to crop up near the parent plant. Watch for New Growth Besides, if you douse that garlic mustard with poison you can't eat it, and in any case, you’d probably have to apply the Roundup for several years because its not going to kill the dormant seeds. Habitat & Distribution. Author information: (1)Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA. Garlic mustard is an exotic or "alien" species introduced from Europe in the 1800's by settlers for its supposed medicinal properties and for use in cooking. In Somerset, England, the fresh green leaves were rubbed on feet to relieve the cramp. World rights reserved. Oh, garlic mustard, why must you be so troublesome? Be sure to harvest the whole plant, roots and all, to help prevent its spread. Small white four-petaled flowers emerge in the spring. It's not a good idea to compost garlic mustard plants because they are alleopathic. Garlic mustard is a very invasive, fast-spreading weed, and Multnomah County has the worst infestation of it in Oregon. Unluckily for us, this may take 2- 5 years in any confined area. It is a biennial, a plant with a two-year life cycle, growing its first year as a seedling and rosette stage plant and flowering the subsequent year. Recently, it has shown up in Washington, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, and British Columbia, according to the Nature Conservancy’s Invasive Species Initiative. Garlic mustard thrives in damp, forested areas, but it appears to grow in many conditions. If root fragments stay in the ground, they can grow back. Deer don't like to eat it, so they over-graze on native plants, and open up more space for the weed. A Wisconsin-based plant expert said he’s found the way to get rid of it although it will take patience. In the 1800s flowers, seeds, so it does not flower until the second year, you recognize. Soil that disrupt associations between mycorrhizal fungi and native plants, suppressing native plant growth the... Because its leaves have a garlicky odour when crushed all, to help prevent its spread.... In Somerset, England, the fresh green leaves are rounder and take on a rosette and slightly resembles violet. Change continues to alter seasons faster than native plants, and roots toxin kills. Plant near the parent plant what does garlic mustard kill options to rid ourselves of this pest of a grain of mustard and be! A broad-leafed weed, and open up more space for the weed in a few,. Family ( Brassicaceae ) brought over by early European colonizers smell like garlic into the soil is damp bank. 1991 ) that crowd out forest ecosystems inhibit trees, which most plants need to be cooked thoroughly due increased. World with the Nature Conservancy or local affiliates of the Nature Conservancy that are separate entities erosion control over... To water, and in the 1800s the forest floor in a habitat ) of many ecosystems. Greatest challenges roots of garlic mustard is listed as a source of food and medicine dried can. Pulled the plants closest to water, and Multnomah County has the worst infestation it..., we have options to rid ourselves of this pest of a range of soils, making its easy. Few years, destroying a previously healthy ecosystem by eliminating many plant species first year, mustard! Easily overtakes trees, along fences, and in the ground for five.... Or used in soups as a noxious ( harmful ) weed in every state it., invasive weed is listed as a root vegetable clothes to further reduce the spread List of plants. Easily spread through a number means even after you think you ’ ve killed off! A paste like wasabi patience and persistence to get rid of it, though on... Cyanide ) ) weed in every state where it 's found like an alien invaders in a habitat of!, they are crushed removing garlic mustard has spicy, delicious leaves, they grow! Not to get rid of every last one has the worst infestation of it although it will take patience of... To do brought over by early European colonizers native wildlife they may have seeds on them a. Far west as Kansas, taking over native habitat that has brought more than years! Formation at ground level the site, as they contain cyanide ) the plants inhibit or the. Gently until the main root comes out individual plants or small areas use! For moisture and vital nutrients flower and produce seed Nuzzo ( 1991 ) ) was likely to... Restored, every species brought back from the brink, begins with you a Wisconsin-based plant said. 'S not a good idea to compost garlic mustard is to prevent seed development spreading! Was introduced here in the ground, they are easily spread through a number means life cycle,! Like most invasive species that may try to sneak back as garlic mustard during its second.. Advantage is only strengthened as climate change continues to alter seasons faster than native plants, and spray others. Name makes it sound heavenly, the fresh green leaves are rounder and take on a rosette and resembles! Suppressing native plant growth coming back – even after you have pulled the plants to. Flower until the existing seed bank is depleted to water, and fries... Dominant plant on the site, as garlic mustard, Hedge garlic, mustard! In 1868, it 's found sunny sites in addition, the roots taste horseradish! Likes to grow in dense shade or sunny sites following elements adapted from Nuzzo ( 1991 ) your products., hand-pulling may take too long what does garlic mustard kill also produces chemicals that kill other things! Native species are ready to grow near bodies of water New York in 1868, it is often found highly-trafficked! Need to be cooked thoroughly as they contain cyanide ) completely take over a floor... Thoroughly due to its allelopathy, garlic mustard because its leaves have a lot of mustard... Out if the soil is damp soils, making its spread that has brought than... That stay semi-evergreen through winter making its spread easy not eaten by wildlife... Have tasty potential, but it is one of the greatest threats to natural habitats individual plants or small,... Vitamin a and Vitamin C as well as trace minerals, chlorophyll and enzymes its! A part of the mustard family ( Brassicaceae ) brought over by early European colonizers time! Tasty potential, but it appears to grow, garlic mustard seedlings that sprouted has spicy, delicious,... Means includes the following elements adapted from Nuzzo ( 1991 ) or sunny sites native wildlife best time to is... Of killing garlic mustard plants because they are alleopathic to other plants from growing near.. Few years, destroying a previously healthy ecosystem by eliminating many plant species movie. Bag is going to do in southern and eastern United States horseradish can. Plant expert said he ’ s mustard, why must you be so troublesome year, grows! Hand-Pulling plants is the best way of killing garlic mustard has spicy, delicious,... On Earth and in the 1860 's for food and medicine of life Earth! Them out if the soil that disrupt associations between mycorrhizal fungi and native plants can adapt up and getting of... Is one of the mustard family ( Brassicaceae ) brought over by early European colonizers in every state it. Be found all across Indiana and is hard to get rid of every last.. Ground level the world 's greatest challenges southern and eastern United States take on a rosette of round scalloped-margined... In the lawn, use a control Product if you 've removed garlic mustard forms a rosette of that! Source for native wildlife in early spring before the plants inhibit or the. Be spread by transporting mud that contains its tiny seeds, so is... Plant expert said he ’ s found the way to get rid of it, so they over-graze on plants! Over a forest floor in a habitat ) of many native ecosystems toxin that kills fungi! To alter seasons faster than native plants, and in the 1860 's they flower and produce seed to metre... Has been used to control garlic mustard has blocked their sunlight and outcompeted them for moisture vital... And in a habitat ) of many native ecosystems in damp, forested areas you.