Garlic Mustard—Alliaria petiolata
A bienniel herb, grows most often in forest understories and along forest edges, where it displaces native plants eaten by wildlife.
First year plants consist of a cluster of 3 or 4 leaves rising 2 to 4 inches in a rosette. Leaves are roundish to heart-shaped and coarsely toothed.
Plants produce many small white flowers in the second year, and grow 2 to 3½ feet tall.
Each small white flowers has four petals in the shape of a cross. When crushed, leaves and stems release a strong odor, similar to garlic.
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Identification and Control Information
- Garlic Mustard Description and Control Methods - Maine Natural Areas Program
- Fact Sheet with Description and Control Options (with lots of pictures) (PDF) —Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Maine Invasive Plants: Garlic Mustard (PDF) —University of Maine Cooperative Extension
- Garlic Mustard Weed Alert with Identification Tips and Control Methods (PDF) —King County, Washington
- Fact Sheet with Description and Management Options (PDF) —Plant Conservation Alliance’s Alien Plant Working Group
- Fact Sheet: Garlic Mustard (PDF) —United States Department of Agriculture
- Species Identification Card: Garlic Mustard (PDF) —Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Vital Signs Program
More Information
- Invasive Alien Plant Species of Virginia: What are Invasive Alien Plant Species and why are they a problem?—Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation
- Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas brochure (PDF) —Plant Conservation Alliance
- What the Heck is an Invasive Plant? brochure (PDF) —Plant Conservation Alliance
[Photos, left to right: Steven Katovich, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org; David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org]