Alliaria petiolata

Garlic Mustard

[not native to the Mid-Atlantic area - considered to be invasive]

[ click on any image below to see larger version ]

Family: Brassicaceae

Mid-Atlantic bloom time: April - May
Mid-Atlantic fruit ripe: May - June

Garlic mustard is a troublesome invasive that has a two-year growing cycle. In the first season's growth, the plant forms a low-lying rosette of rounded leaves. The next year the plant bolts, flowers and produces seeds, typically in mid-summer. Second season leaves grow progressively more pointed with rounded teeth as they get nearer to the flowers at the top of the stem.

The crushed leaves smell somewhat like garlic. Young chopped leaves can be used as flavoring in salads and sauces, with a mild flavor similar to both garlic and mustard.

28 April 2015 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, Virginia (second growing season)	28 April 2015 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, Virginia (second growing season, showing x-shaped white flowers)	7 April 2016 Doves Landing Park, Manassas, Virginia (second growing season)	25 May 2016 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, Virginia (first growing season, without flowering stalk)
28 April 2015 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, Virginia (second growing season)	7 April 2016 Doves Landing Park, Manassas, Virginia (second growing season)

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