Invasive Garlic Mustard is Easy to Spot This Time of the Year | Village Sponsored Cost-Share Program Available for Highly Infested Areas

Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an invasive species in Illinois. Large infestations of this low-growing herbaceous flowering plant limit growth and productivity of native plants and threaten the long-term health of forests.  This time of the year, it's easy to spot this biannual/winter annual weed, that generally grows 2-3 feet tall. Lower leaves are kidney-shaped with scalloped edges. Leaves feel hairless, and the root has an "S" or "L" shape just below the stem base.  Due to its taproot, and unlike some invasive herbaceous perennials, it does not regenerate from root fragments. Therefore, this is one of the few invasive plant species that can be controlled manually by pulling.