We normally profile plants that make a great addition to northern grand and gardens . Garlic Indian mustard … not so much . But thisisa industrial plant you should know about so you’re able to name it as soon as it enters your thousand ( and then get rid of it ASAP ) .
What is it ?
Garlic table mustard ( Alliaria petiolata ) is a biennial plant that is part of the mustard or brassica family . It ’s aboriginal in many place around the reality , from Africa to Scandinavia , Morocco to Pakistan and China . It is not native to North America but likely came here with European immigrants in the 1800s , who used it for medicinal and culinary purposes . It ’s an strong-growing plant and is currently widespread in the United States . In Minnesota , it is a common , invasive weed in the southerly half of the land , and is beginning to unfold to violent areas in Duluth and northern Minnesota . Garlic mustard greens is classified as arestricted noxious weedby the state of Minnesota , which means land owners are encouraged to manage the plants .
In its second year, garlic mustard produces a flower and hundreds of seeds.
Like other biennials , garlic mustard greens ’s coming into court changes between the first and second class of its life . In the first year , it ’s a scummy growing foliage plant , with kidney - shaped leaf that farm in russet scab . It is sometimes mix up with cringe Charlie because of its appearance , but the scent of garlic mustard is distinctively garlicky ( shocker ) ! In the 2nd year , the works air up a slender chaff with a modest white flower at the top . Each flora bring out C of seeds , which are pass around by winding . The plant stay green all winter , so they get a parachuting on other plants in spring . Garlic mustard is also allelopathic , meaning it sends out chemicals that prevent outgrowth in other plants and even trees . It can well take over a garden , yard or forest and is very destructive to biodiversity . In addition to its fast-growing cattle farm , garlic mustard greens furnish no benefit to wildlife .
Can you eat it ?
Yes , it is an edible plant with a garlicky flavor . Foragers use thefirst - year farewell in saladsand garnish dishes with the efflorescence . The flavor is like to other acerbic greens , such as arugula . Some foragers also eat the tap root word , which taste like red cole . However , the flora does contain trace of cyanide , which is part of how it destruct the plant life around it .
How do you get rid of it ?
There are a variety of methods for uproot garlic mustard , pulling being the most common . But it is a persistent smoke , so it require diligence to get free of it , specially if it is invade waste spaces . If you are plagued by garlic mustard , learn more in this webinarwith expert Cheryl Culbreth of Landscape Restoration , Inc.
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