GARLIC MUSTARD

JACK BY THE HEDGE

Alliaria petiolata

Cabbage Family [Brassicaceae]  

month8apr month8april month8May month8jun month8june

status
statusZnative
 
flower
flower8white
 
inner
inner8green
 
morph
morph8actino
 
petals
petalsZ4
 
type
typeZumbel
 
stem
stem8round
 
smell
smell8garlic
garlic

11th May 2008, Peak Forest Canal, Strines, Derbyshire. Photo: © RWD
Prefers semi-shade.


4th May 2005, Near Offas Dyke, Prestatyn, North Wales. Photo: © RWD
The white flowers grow only at the top-most of each plant


2nd May 2008, Near Hartshead Pike, Greater Manchester. Photo: © RWD
The alternate heart-shaped leaves are on short stems.


10th May 2005, near Hope, Derbyshire. Photo: © RWD
Also grows in walls, but more often in hedgerows, hence the colloquial name Jack by the Hedge.


29th April 2006, near Glasson Dock, Lancaster Canal. Photo: © RWD
The uppermost leaves are less rounded, more pointed, and with less blunt teeth.


29th April 2006, near Glasson Dock, Lancaster Canal. Photo: © RWD
The uppermost leaves are less rounded, more pointed, and with less blunt teeth.


18th April 2007, near Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire. Photo: © RWD
The white flowers have 4 petals. The seed pods emerge from the centre of the flowers.


15th May 2011, Sizergh, Strictland, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
Sepal is very short and stubby; the four white petals emerge from within it, and grow upwards before suddenly turning 90° to appear as the 'petals'. Seed pods angular.


15th May 2011, Sizergh, Strictland, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
Four broad stubby white petals with four stamens, seed pod growing from middle.


5th June 2006, near Staveley, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
Young growth at ground level. Leaves more rounded, and only wavy-toothed.


3rd Sept 2008, Daisy Nook Country Park, Greater Manchester. Photo: © RWD
Young leaves have a cardioid outline.


27th June 2005, Rochdale Canal, Mytholmroyd, Yorkshire. Photo: © RWD
Seed pods grow upwards at about 50 degrees.


27th June 2005, Rochdale Canal, Mytholmroyd, Yorkshire. Photo: © RWD
The seed pods are much longer than their stalks.


15th May 2011, Sizergh, Strictland, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
The seed pods emerge at a kinked upward angle from very short stalks.


Uniquely identifiable characteristics: There is no other plant quite like this one.

Distinguishing Feature : The leaves smell of garlic when crushed.

Garlic Mustard smells of garlic when the leaves are crushed and taste of mustard. It is edible; the seed containing pods can be fried, or the seeds crushed as a condiment. The leaves can be added to savoury dishes, or eaten raw on sandwiches.

In some parts of the World, Garlic Mustard is regarded as an un-wanted and invasive species.

The leaves yield a yellow dye.

This plant likes to inhabit hedgerows, hence the name 'Jack by the Hedge', and dislikes being in the sun all day. It is one of the most common spring-time flowers, almost ubiquitous throughout the UK, apart from northern Scotland where it is absent. Stands to a height of up to 1 metre.


USE BY BUTTERFLIES
LAYS EGGS ON CATERPILLAR CHRYSALIS BUTTERFLY
Orange-tip
Green-veined White
Bath White
Orange-tip



  Alliaria petiolata  ⇐ Global Aspect ⇒ Brassicaceae  

Distribution
family8cabbage family8Brassicaceae family8Cruciferae
 BSBI maps
genus8alliaria
Alliaria
(Garlic Mustard)

GARLIC MUSTARD

JACK BY THE HEDGE

Alliaria petiolata

Cabbage Family [Brassicaceae]  

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