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Through The Woods
Explore the world around you.

Invasive Species Spotlight: Garlic Mustard

4/27/2016

1 Comment

 
Yes, this sounds like a delicious condiment but it is in fact a highly invasive non-native plant.

About the plant.
"Garlic mustard is a biennial herb. It begins as a rosette of leaves in the first year, overwinters as a green rosette of leaves, flowers and fruits in the second year, and then dies. First-year rosettes consist of kidney-shaped, garlic-smelling leaves, the second-year plant grows a stem up to 4 feet tall with triangular, sharply-toothed leaves. The small, four-petaled flowers are white and grow in clusters at the top of the stem. Garlic mustard produces large quantities of seeds which can remain viable for seven years or more." This species can survive in bright to dim locations, wet or dry soils. It is resilient and can grow anywhere. 

What makes this plant so bad?
Crowds out native plant species by carpeting the forest floor and not allowing access to light for native species.
This plant sits in the top 10 most invasive species in Ohio list.
Poses as a place for butterflies to lay eggs, but is toxic to 
caterpillars and has been killing off the West Virginia White Butterfly. Does not actually make a good condiment (a joke, a joke). 

What can I do about it?
Eradicating garlic mustard is easy work, but takes time. The ultimate goal in removing garlic mustard is to prevent seed development and spreading until the existing seed bank is depleted. Unluckily for us, this may take 2- 5 years in any confined area. Cutting the flowering stems at ground level and pulling plants before they set seed is one method that can be done in smaller areas, but may be too labor intensive for large patches. It's important to know when pulling garlic mustard you should always make sure that the taproot is completely removed or the plant will re-Garlic mustard its sprout. All cutting should be bagged, dried and then burned.

Get Involved!
Many local parks have 'Garlic Mustard Pulls' this time of year. Check with your local parks for opportunities to volunteer! 


Picture
First year
Picture
Second year bloom
Picture
Second year cluster
1 Comment
Eric Goepfert
4/27/2016 07:04:03 pm

Did not know it was Biennial. Been pulling it for years. Fortunately the tap root does not go deep and the plant will come right up. Getting it all...not so easy... that and Creeping Charlie...Boo.
- also, don't compost it...just destroy it.

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    Since 2015 we have been exploring and sharing all the amazing things we’ve found in nature.
    From great and unique places to explore, to learning about new and interesting plant species, to understanding the earth’s cycles.
    Follow along and discover new and interesting things about the world around you. 

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    Emily is an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist who is most often found out in the woods. 

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  • Home
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • Plant Profiles
    • One Year Studies >
      • Barnes Preserve >
        • Barnes Short Loop
        • Barnes Long Loop
        • BP Pond Overlook
      • Walton Woods Wildflower Sanctuary >
        • Walton Woods Lower Trail
        • Walton Woods Burning Bush
      • Brown's Lake Bog >
        • Bog Boardwalk
        • Bog Loop
      • Wooster Memorial Park >
        • Sycamore Tree
        • Trillium Hill
        • WMP Prairie
  • Shop
    • Shop
    • Photography
  • About