Garlic Mustard

The large, triangular leaves of Garlic Mustard appear in early spring. The four-petalled white flowers are borne at the stem tips, in clusters that seem small for the size of the plant. The flowering stem elongates as the long seed pods develop. When crushed, the leaves have a distinct smell of garlic, which is unusual outside the onion family. They can be used for flavouring food, but also give a tang to milk if eaten by cows. The whole plant has many medicinal uses.

LEAVES : Alternate, triangular to heart-shaped, toothed and stalked.

PLANT HEIGHT : 40–120cm.

FLOWER SIZE : 3–5mm wide.

FRUIT : Seed pods (siliquas), 2–7cm long, splitting lengthwise when dry.

FLOWERING TIME : April–June.

SIMILAR SPECIES : Dame’s-violet , which has long, finely toothed leaves.