Garlic Mustard
Management Prioritization
Identification
Common Name: Garlic Mustard
Scientific Name: Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande
Legal Status: Restricted
Propagation and sale of this plant are prohibited in Minnesota. Transportation is only allowed when in compliance with Minnesota Statute 18.82 . Although Restricted Noxious Weeds are not required by law to be controlled or eradicated, landowners are strongly encouraged to manage these invasive plants on their properties in order to reduce spread into new areas. Minnesota Noxious Weed Law.
Background
Garlic mustard is native to Europe. It was first brought to New York state in the 1800's, mostly likely for food or medicinal purposes. It has invaded much of the eastern and mid-western US.
Garlic mustard is an early season biennial herb that germinates from seed and forms a rosette in the first year. The second year plants bolt into a mature flowering stem set seed and die. Plants emit a strong garlic odor when crushed.
Seedlings and Rosette
Garlic mustard seedlings emerge in early spring before most other plants and are often very dense. Cotyledon are spatula shaped and first leaves are triangular with scalloped edges.
Garlic mustard seedlings.
During the first year of garlic mustard's life cycle, seedlings grow into rosettes. Rosettes are clusters of leaves where all leaves emerge from the root. (There is no stem the first year.)
Multiple garlic mustard rosettes and some seedlings.
Leaves
First year plants (rosettes) have only basal leaves, which are heart-shaped and coarsely toothed.
Leaves on second year plants are arranged alternately on stems; on the lower part of the stem, leaves are heart-shaped and have scalloped edges.
Garlic mustard leaf from the lower part of the stem.
Leaves
On the upper part of the stem, leaves are triangular with coarse teeth.
Garlic mustard leaves from the upper portion of the stem.
Flowers and Seeds
Garlic mustard blooms in May and June and flowers are white, each with four petals. Flowers grow in clusters at the top of the stem.
Cluster of garlic mustard flowers.
Numerous slender seed capsules ("siliques") form at the top of stems after flowering. Each silique is about 1-2.5 inches long and produces a single row of small, oblong black seeds.
Garlic mustard plant with mature siliques.
Root
Garlic mustard plants have a thin white taproot with a distinctive crook at the top where the leaves or stem emerge.
Garlic mustard taproot.
Distribution
Current Distribution Model
- Point data collected from EDDMapS; not all locations in the state have been recorded, but points on distribution map have been reported and verified.
- Distribution model takes location data and environmental factors into account to create a prediction of current distribution.
Management Prioritization
Influenced by:
- distribution models
- actual reports
- economic benefits
- land cover
- conservation features
- trails
High priority areas surround areas of high density to prevent further large infestations and loss of biodiversity.
Infestation Examples
01 / 03
1
General Infested Area
Population in the midst of other populations; management here is involved.
2
Leading Edge
Sparse populations in the transition from infested areas to un-infested areas; management here is simple.
3
Isolated Population
Location far from other known populations
Lifecycle: Treatment Timing
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. Currently 40% of net Minnesota State Lottery proceeds are dedicated to growing the Trust Fund and ensuring future benefits for Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.
