Garlic Mustard

Description:

"Garlic mustard produces a characteristic fragrance of garlic from all parts of the plant. Adult plants grow 2-48 inches (5-125 cm) high. Basal rosettes have dark green, kidney-shaped leaves that differ somewhat in shape from the sharply- toothed, triangular, alternate, petioled leaves on the stems. In Illinois, garlic mustard usually blooms in May. Numerous small white flowers, 0.25 inches (6-7 mm) across, are borne in a terminal raceme at the apex of the stem, and also at some leaf axils. Plants usually produce 1 flowering stem, but may have as many as 10 stems from a single root. Each flower is composed of 4 white petals that narrow abruptly at the base. Black seeds are produced in 1-4.7 inch (3-12 cm) long, narrow, linear capsules called siliques."

Habitat:

"This species occurs most frequently in upland and floodplain forests, savannas, and along roadsides. It invades shaded areas, especially disturbed sites, and open woodland. It is capable of growing in dense shade and occasionally occurs in areas receiving full sun."

Notes:

"VEGETATION MANAGEMENT GUIDELINE Garlic Mustard (Alliaria Petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande)." Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institue. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2014. <http://wwx.inhs.illinois.edu/research/vm...>.