It poses a serious threat to native plant and insect diversity. The 2012 recommendation to release it … Garlic mustard has increased over the last fifteen years in the mature deciduous upland part of the Copeland Forest. Garlic mustard is a biennial – meaning it completes its lifecycle in just two years. Site and Date of Introduction: The first sighting of the garlic mustard herb in the U.S.A. was in … As a garden writer I get a lot of email from people warning me about pending catastrophes: blights, bugs, invasive plants. One of THE worse. The ultimate goal of this project is to protect forested lands against a destructive invasive plant. Garlic mustard is an invasive herb native to Europe. What could be so bad about this invasive weed that is actually pretty tasty when made into a pesto, horseradish-like sauce, or just eaten as a salad? The first year it is a diminutive, even attractive little plant with clusters of 3-4 rounded leaves with scalloped edges. Just how bad the impact garlic mustard has on the natural world within the park can only be guessed. Alliaria petiolata is horribly invasive. Garlic mustard is a very invasive weed. Garlic Mustard spreads rapidly, eventually dominating the ecologically rich forest understory. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an exotic invasive plant from Europe that invades woodland habitats in North America and impacts forest biodiversity. Distribution and Habitat Garlic mustard has been reported to be invasive in natural areas throughout the northeastern U.S. and in scattered localities in the Midwest, Southeast, western states, and Alaska. It was brought to North America in the early 1800s for use as an edible herb. Why is this species a problem? Due to the rapid garlic mustard growth the forest itself at Effigy Mounds is fighting for its life. April 15, 2010 at 5:45 pm 1 comment. Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata Invasive Plant Alert Why is Garlic Mustard a problem? These first-year plants remain green throughout the summer season and into late fall, making it easy to spot in the dormant season. Since its arrival in North America it has escaped into the wild and is now one of Ontario’s most aggressive forest invaders. Invasive Species - (Alliaria petiolata) Garlic mustard is a 1 to 4 foot plant with serrated leaves and clusters of tiny, white, 4-petaled flowers that bloom in early spring. Garlic mustard is also found in North Africa, India, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. Yes. Available in the early spring and high in vitamins A and C, it has a strong, distinctive smell similar to garlic. Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata Invasive Plant Alert Why is Garlic Mustard a problem? Alliaria petiolata, or garlic mustard, is a biennial flowering plant in the mustard family (Brassicaceae).It is native to Europe, western and central Asia, north-western Africa, Morocco, Iberia and the British Isles, north to northern Scandinavia, and east to northern Pakistan and Xinjiang in western China. As a garden writer I get a lot of email from people warning me about pending catastrophes: blights, bugs, invasive plants. So, just why is the Stewardship Network hosting an annual campaign to pull 150,000 pounds of garlic mustard? Garlic mustard has become Portland’s poster child for plants that overwhelm the landscape by seeding: a single plant can make hundreds of small seeds.