GARLIC MUSTARD AKA Alliaria petiolata

Garlic mustard first year

Garlic mustard second year

This is a plant found just about everywhere along the roadsides and in the shady forest understory throughout Scotland.  It was brought here because it is delicious and is proof positive that you can definitely have way too much of a good thing!  If you look closely, you will find wherever garlic mustard grows it forms a monoculture.  Few if any other plants grow among its ranks.  It has a sort of superpower, actually the same superpower shared by numerous other invasive plants, and even other biological organisms for that matter.  It is believed that garlic mustard contains allelopathic compounds.  Allelopathic compounds are chemicals found in a plant's leaves, roots, flowers or stems.  The compounds are toxic to other plants, preventing their germination.  They are also toxic to the fungi whose mycorrhiza (essentially a fungi's root system) help to nourish native plants and trees.  In the case of garlic mustard, these compounds are thought to be found primarily in the plant's root system.  Garlic mustard is native to Europe and was brought here as a culinary and medicinal herb.  In the United States it was introduced in Long Island in 1868 and has since spread throughout our country.  As a non-native invasive species, it has few natural enemies here.  Its early spring germination helps it to fill the forest floor, shading and crowding out many of our native species. The plant is biannual. The first year the plants remain short and there is only foliage.  The second year the plant produces clusters of tiny white flowers, which are attractive to several native pollinators.  The flowers are followed by an overabundance of tiny seeds.  The tiny seeds are easily spread throughout the forest on the feet of humans or animals; therefore, Garlic Mustard is frequently found growing along trails.   It is a forager's dream since all parts of the plant are edible, and the plant is easily identified by the garlicky odor emitted when the leaves are crushed. The leaves are best taken from the young short first year plants, flowers and seeds from the tall second year plants. The roots from the plants are said to be rather similar substitution for horseradish root.  Recipes are3 readily available on the internet.  It should go without saying that you want to forage plants for food or medicinal use only if you can identify them with absolute certainty.  In addition, be certain to forage only in areas where you are certain there has been no chemical treatment applied. When foraging garlic mustard use caution so as not to spread this plant's numerous seeds!  

HOW TO REMOVE

The plant is very easy to pull out by the roots.  To be certain of the plant's demise, it is best to place the pulled plants in a black plastic bag exposed to the sun for at least a week.  Do not leave pulled plants on the ground in exposed piles as they will continue to grow and produce flowers and seeds.  The seeds can remain viable for up to four years so you will need to be persistent in pulling the plant for several years.  Garlic mustard can also be eradicated using Glyphosate at a 2% solution.  Other foliar sprays are also effective. 

There is experimental biologic control in the form of an aphid that was first discovered in the U.S. in Ohio in 2021.  It is appropriately called the garlic mustard aphid AKA Lipaphis alliarae.  Like the garlic mustard plant, the aphid is native to Europe.  The cause of its appearance in the United States remains a mystery.  It is presently being carefully monitored. Since its discovery, the small gray aphid, which has a raised pattern on its back that strongly resembles a grenade, has been spotted devouring Garlic Mustard in several other states.  At present there are isolated populations of this epicurean insect in Connecticut, so be on the lookout.  

My last thought here is that our town has quite a few large tracts of privately owned acreage.  You do not necessarily have to get involved with a group to improve our town's landscape.  Just enjoy a few hours walking your land and be observant.  Removing some of these plants from your own land really will make a difference to the entire town!