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What is Garlic Mustard? Garlic Mustard is a cool-season, biennial (ie two-year growth cycle) herb with stalked, triangular to heartshaped, coarsely toothed leaves that give off an odor of garlic when crushed (particularly new leaves). First-year plants appear only as a cluster of green leaves close to the ground. Clusters remain green through the winter and develop into flowering plants the following spring. Flowering plants of Garlic Mustard reach from 0.6 to 1 m in height and produce button-like clusters of small white flowers, each with four petals in the shape of a cross. Beginning in May, tiny seeds are produced in erect, slender pods, and become shiny black when mature. In dense woodland stands, seed production can range from 9,500 to over 100,000 seeds per square metre per year. When mature, the capsules burst open and can throw seeds several metres. Seeds can remain alive in the soil for five years or more. Seeds quickly sprout in disturbed soil, and disturbing soil with seeds in it will cause more seeds to sprout. Further distribution is mostly by humans, pets, and other animals accidentally carrying seeds in shoe treads, or bike treads, or paws. Roads and trails are prime corridors for garlic mustard invasion. Populations spread an average of 6,400 km2 per year in North America! Garlic Mustard Pesto Garlic Mustard Pesto Mini Pizzas 1 cup fresh garlic mustard leaves, washed and packed 1 cup fresh basil leaves, washed & packed 3 tbsp lightly toasted pine nuts 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/2 cup olive oil salt to taste 4 thin whole grain buns 8 tbsp garlic mustard pesto (or to taste) 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese additional topping optional In a food processor, mince the basil and garlic mustard leaves. Add the pine nuts and process again. Turn the blend out into a bowl, and mix the parmesan cheese through. Stir in the oil. Salt to taste. Preheat oven to 400 F. Separate the buns and lay out face up on a baking tray. Spread garlic mustard pesto onto each half bun. Top with shredded cheese, parmesan, and additional toppings as desired. Bake 10 minutes or until cheese is melted/browned. Serves 4. Note: Use this recipe to make the pesto for the Garlic Mustard Pesto Mini Pizzas. Choose leaves from second year flowering stems, as they are less bitter than first year basal leaves. Garlic Mustard Salsa In a medium sized bowl (or food processor), combine: 5 Roma tomatoes, diced 20 garlic mustard leaves, minced 1 cup mixed red, green & yellow pepper 1/2 cup sweet onion, diced 1 Jalapeno pepper, seeds removed, minced 2 tbsp white vinegar 1 tsp maple syrup salt to taste For chunky salsa, stir ingredients together. For finer texture, process using a hand blender, food processor or similar. Serve with tortilla chips. Shredded cheese and sour cream optional. Garlic Mustard FYI Garlic Mustard is one of the few non-native herbs able to invade and dominate both disturbed and undisturbed forest understory communities. Its ability to grow in low light, high seed production, and relatively rapid spread make Garlic Mustard a strong competitor, dominating forest groundcover within 5-7 years of introduction. It takes resources away from native spring woodland plants such as Spring Beauty, White Trillium, Trout Lily, Sweet Cicely and many others. Because it begins growing very early in the spring, Garlic Mustard has a head start on other flowering plants and tree seedlings. Garlic mustard changes the soil, impacts natural associations between plants and fungi by destroying the fungi, and reduces forest ecosystem biodiversity. Garlic mustard appears to reduce habitat quality for several species of salamanders and molluscs, through changes in forest litter layer depth and composition. Insect communities are also impacted by the presence of garlic mustard. The impacts of garlic mustard on vertebrates are largely unknown. Deer do not eat it, but encourage its spread by grazing on native competitors, disturbing the soil, and carrying seed from one location to another. Trails, parking areas, transportation corridors and recreation sites in suitable habitats are known sites of early infestation. There are a number of approaches to removal including cutting, pulling, mulching, native species planting, and in controlled situations, experts may use fire or herbicides. The best approach is to limit the spread of garlic mustard in the first place. Never buy this plant at a nursery or plant it in your garden. Spread the word about this invasive species, restrain pets in invaded areas, and brush off any bits of mud or vegetation from clothing, boots and paws before leaving infested areas.