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Integrated Crop Management
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Garlic mustard

Garlic mustard - Alliaria petiolata (Bieb) Cavara & Grande

Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard family)
Life cycle: Biennial
Native status: Introduced
Habitat: Woodlands

General description: First-year plants are a rosette of 3 to 4 round, scallop-edged leaves. In the second year, the plant reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet. Leaves on bolting stems are triangular with large teeth. Flowers are white, and seed capsules are 1 to 2.5 in long.

Key ID traits: Garlicky odor of crushed leaves; deep veins on coarsely toothed leaves. 

Similar species: The leaves of rosettes resemble ground ivy in shape, but are larger and develop from a rosette, whereas ground ivy has opposite leaves on creeping stems (stolons).

Miscellaneous: Introduced to North America in the 1860s as a culinary herb. Now a significant problem in woodlands of eastern United States. It has been spreading throughout Iowa since the 1980s

Garlic mustard rosette
Garlic mustard rosette with circular leaves, scalloped leaf margins, and deep veins.
Flowering garlic mustard plant
Flowering plant with triangular leaves.
Garlic mustard flowers
Garlic mustard flowers have four petals, as do other members of the Brassica family.

 

Mature garlic mustard covering forest floor
Mature garlic mustard covering the forest floor. Production of allelopathic chemicals allows this weed to eliminate the native plants in infested areas.
Authored by:
Bob Hartzler
Bob Hartzler
  • Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Bob Hartzler is a former professor of agronomy and a former extension weed specialist with a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from Iowa State University. He conducted research on weed biology and how it impacts the efficacy of weed management programs in corn and soybean. Dr. Hartzler also taught undergraduate classes in weed science and weed identification.
Meaghan Anderson
Meaghan Anderson
  • Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist serving nine counties in central Iowa and an extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.

Meaghan holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in crop production and physiology (focus: weed science) from Iowa State University.
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