Garlic Mustard has gained much attention in recent years for its ability to rapidly invade wooded habitats from disturbed areas. It can also host a variety of viruses that can attack both wild and cultivated plants. Species Assessment Groups (SAG) were assembled to recommend a legal classification for each species considered for NR 40. Origin. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an herbaceous weed-like plant that primarily inhabits forested areas.New sprouts have heart shaped basal leaves the first year. Cavara and Grande] is a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an herbaceous, biennial forb that was introduced from Europe in the mid-1800s.This highly invasive exotic species grows and spreads extremely quickly, forming thick stands that shade-out and out-compete native understory plants and tree seedlings, to the point of completely suppressing their growth. Garlic mustard is an invasive non-native biennial herb that spreads by seed. Garlic mustard was originally brought to the United States from Europe during colonial times as an early spring edible. It is an invasive plant found throughout the Northeastern and Midwestern US as well as Southeastern Canada. Why is it invasive? It is called garlic Invasive Species; Garlic Mustard; About Garlic Mustard. As they mature, the leaves become triangular and toothed. Garlic mustard [Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is also known as Poor Man’s Mustard, Hedge Garlic, Garlic Root and Jack-by-the-Hedge. An invasive species can be any kind of living organism—a plant, insect, fish, fungus or bacteria—that is not native to an ecosystem and causes harm. Garlic mustard was brought from Europe in the mid-1800s to be cultivated for food and medicine. Garlic mustard was first recorded in the United States around 1868, from Long Island, New York, and was likely introduced by settlers for food and medicinal purposes. Although edible for people, it is not eaten by local wildlife or insects. Garlic mustard is highly invasive and threatens the abundant wildflowers and diverse forest ecosystem of West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The plants have small four-petaled flowers in spring. Garlic mustard can take over the forest under story displacing native plants and interfering with growth of the remaining plants. Garlic mustard is single-stalked plant, which typically grows to about 3 feet tall with small white flowers near the top. -National Wildlife Federation Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is also known as Poor Man’s Mustard, Hedge Garlic, Garlic Root and Jack-by-the-Hedge. Garlic mustard is a shade tolerant, invasive species with the capability to establish in our state. Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) Garlic mustard has a two-year life cycle, and one plant can produce more than 7,000 seeds before dying. 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