40 Nebraskaland • May 2020
orel mushroom hunters will know this plant:
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), a biennial, is
one of the fi rst signs of green-up in Missouri River
woodlands. This low-lying plant prefers moist
soils, shade and limited sun, and while its heart-shaped
leaves might look inviting during the bareness of early
spring, garlic mustard is highly invasive. It outcompetes
native plants and threatens the biodiversity of our woodland
ecosystems.
Distribution
The story of how garlic mustard arrived to the New World
is similar to that of other invasive plants. Early European
settlers brought garlic mustard to North America primarily
for food and medicine, and fi nding conditions exceedingly
favorable, the species escaped from gardens, thrived and
spread uncontrollably. Today, garlic mustard has spread over
practically all of northeastern and midwestern United States.
Garlic Mustard
The Invasion of
Story and photos by Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley
M
Garlic mustard seedlings are one of the fi rst signs of spring in Missouri River woodlands. Morel mushroom hunters may
recognize the scalloped, heart-shaped leaves.