Weed of the Week: Garlic Mustard
GARLIC MUSTARD
(Alliaria petiolata)
- A very noxious weed that is rapidly replacing quality woodland in Wisconsin.
- Shade-tolerant biennial. The first year plant is a short rosette of 3 to 4 round scalloped-edged leaves, and doesn’t produce flowers. The second year plant produces 1 to 2 flowering stems (12 – 48” tall).
- Flowers are white and have 4 separate petals.
- The leaves and stems emit a distinct garlic odor when crushed.
- Garlic mustard is the only plant of this height in Wisconsin woods with white flowers in May.
- Plants can be pulled by hand at or before flowering, or cut close to the ground. Burning and herbicides can also be effective control measures.
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