Garlic Mustard

Brassicaceae

LIFE FORM: Biennial

NATIVITY: Europe

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

Biennian herb that grows to 2 feet tall; triangular or heart-shaped leaves stalked and sharply toothed; foliage smells of garlic and mustard.

FLOWERS:

Small, white, four-petaled flowers in terminal cluster in mid to late summer.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Slender pods that explode when mature.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

A fast spreading herb that grows in sun or shade; common in disturbed woodlands. Prefers minimally maintained public parks and open space; vacant lots and rubble dump sites; woodlands that develop on abandoned open space.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Drought tolerance on compacted soils.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

This highly invasive plant is spreading rapidly throughout eastern North America; leaves are edible in the spring. Invasive species in minimally managed habitats.