Garlic
mustard is an herbaceous plant often found in dense
stands in the understory of forests. Garlic mustard
is a biennial plant, taking two years to complete its
life cycle. First year garlic mustard plants are small
inconspicuous rosettes of small heart-shaped leaves
close to the ground that remain green all winter. Second
season garlic mustards are flowering plants that reach
heights of 1-3 feet. One or two flowering stalks are
common. The leaves on second year garlic mustards are
coarsely toothed triangles. A strong garlic odor is
given off when the leaves are crushed. Flowers are small
with four white petals. The seed of garlic mustard come
in long thin pods that are often abundant on the plant
in late summer
Major
characteristics
Low,
heart-shaped rosette leaves in first year plants
Strong
garlic odor
Cross-shaped
white flowers
Coarse-toothed
triangular leaves
1-3
feet flowering stalks
Other
Web-sites about garlic mustard identification:
