How to identify Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

How to identify Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

Garlic mustard is a herbaceous biennial with broad, kidney-shaped leaves that are finely toothed. In its first year, it forms a rosette close to the ground, while in the second year, it produces stems that can grow up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) tall. Clusters of small, white flowers with four petals emerge from April to June. The slender seed pods, called siliques, contain shiny black seeds and are characteristic of the mustard family.

Lifespan: Biennial, Annual, Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Garlic mustard

Distinct round to heart-shaped leaves with coarse, toothed edges emit a garlic odor when crushed.

Clusters of small, cruciform white flowers with four petals in elongated racemes from spring to early summer.

Distinctive four-sided pods, 1 1/2 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5 cm) long, containing glossy black seeds.

Smooth, green stems up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall, occasionally with fine hairs on 2nd-year plants.

Herbaceous biennial with a low rosette in the 1st year, tall stems up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) in 2nd year.

Detailed Traits of Garlic mustard

Leaf Features

The leaves of garlic mustard in its first year are round to heart-shaped, approximately 2 inches (5 cm) long and wide, with coarse, toothed edges. Second-year plants have alternate leaves that are typically longer than they are wide, measuring up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) across. These leaves emit a distinct garlic odor when crushed. The leaves' texture is rough with prominent veins, enhancing their toothed edge appearance.

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Flower Features

In the second year, the flowers of garlic mustard appear on upper stems in narrow racemes. These button-like clusters of white flowers are cruciform, each with four petals. Initially bunched at the top, they are about 0.25 inches (6 mm) across. As they mature, the raceme elongates, and the flowers become more spaced out. These distinctive flowers typically do not emit a noticeable scent and bloom from spring to early summer, making their subtle white coloration a key identification feature.

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Stem Features

The stems of garlic mustard are primarily glabrous, meaning they are smooth and free from hairs, except for occasional fine hairs found on 2nd-year plants. They are typically green and can grow up to 3 feet (90 cm) in height. The stems are slender but sturdy, with a round cross-section and a slightly ridged texture. Branching occurs infrequently, and when it does, branches tend to emerge from the upper part of the stem. The overall appearance of the stem is highly characteristic and aids in the identification of garlic mustard.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of garlic mustard is a distinctive four-sided pod, elongated in shape and measuring approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5 cm) in length. Initially presenting with a green hue, the pod matures into a gray-brown coloration. Enclosed within are two rows of glossy black seeds, which are revealed when the pod naturally splits open in mid-summer. These seeds are then scattered around the parent plant, sometimes reaching several feet (up to a meter) away.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Key Facts About Garlic mustard

Attributes of Garlic mustard

Lifespan

Biennial, Annual, Perennial

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

10 cm to 1.3 m

Spread

40 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Stem Color

Green

White

Leaf type

Deciduous

The Toxicity of Garlic mustard

Slightly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Garlic mustard

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Mustards, capers, and allies

Family

Cruciferae

Genus

Alliaria

Species

Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

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Distribution Map of Garlic mustard

Garlic mustard is native to regions spanning parts of Europe and Asia, where it grows in a variety of habitats. In certain areas outside its native range, such as in some parts of the Southern Hemisphere, garlic mustard is thought to be invasive and may have an impact on local ecosystems. Its ability to spread beyond its native territory highlights the adaptability of garlic mustard, though it also raises ecological concerns where it competes with native species.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Garlic mustard

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