Guest post by Jacqueline Hyman
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) may be an
almost-attractive flowering plant, but it is actually an invasive species containing
toxic chemicals, according to Plant
Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas.
This
invasive was introduced by settlers coming from Europe for use as medicine and
as a “flavoring agent in soups,” according to the Maryland Invasive Species
Council (MISC).
However, the plant quickly spread
and became harmful to native eastern U.S. plants and animals, according to a
2003 post on MISC’s web site.
The plant
is a biennial herb in the mustard family, with leaves and stalks that change as
the plant ages. Additionally, the book says that the “crushed leaves and stems
smell like garlic,” presumably giving the plant its interesting name.
Garlic
Mustard overtakes and impacts many plants, including wild ginger, bloodroot,
and toothworts. When toothworts are taken over, three native butterfly species,
the West Virginia white, the mustard white, and the falcate orange-tip, are
greatly impacted, according to Plant
Invaders.
This is
because the chemicals in the plant are extremely toxic to the larvae of the
native butterflies, which inhabit the toothwort plants. The butterflies feed on
toothwort, and if their eggs are laid on Garlic Mustard instead, they will not
hatch, according to MISC.
Garlic
Mustard can occur not only in forest habitats, but also along roadsides and
disturbed lands. However, according to
the University of Maryland Home & Garden Information Center, the plant does
prefer the shady environment of the forest and floodplain.
Management of Garlic Mustard takes
a long-term effort, as the seeds can survive for over five years in the soil,
according to Plant Invaders. The
book says that hand removal can be effective for lightly scattered infestations
of the plant, but suggests different methods for flowering plants with mature
fruits.
So, if you want to see wildflowers
and butterflies thrive, planting Garlic Mustard is not the wisest idea. Just
make sure to eradicate it if the plant is already growing, because this
intrusive plant will overwhelm anything nearby.
The "Invasive Species Spotlight" is a summer blog series focusing on a different plant each week that is a problem for Mid-Atlantic home gardeners.
About the author:
Jacqueline Hyman is a junior journalism and English major at the University of Maryland. She is the editor-in-chief of the Mitzpeh, an independent Jewish newspaper at UMD. In addition, Jacqueline enjoys musical theater, and teaches piano and voice at Guitar Center. She is excited to be interning this summer for the Washington Gardener.
PIN THIS FOR LATER:
No comments:
Post a Comment