Garlic Mustard (Jack-by-the-Hedge)
Alliaria petiolata
Garlic Mustard is a biennial herb that has been labeled an invasive weed in many areas. Originally from Europe, this nutritious plant is found in many locations across North America. The flower of this wild edible only appears from May to June. Garlic Mustard is good for your weight, heart, lowers cholesterol, may help prevent cancer, as well as many other health benefits.
Fields
of Nutrition has medicinal benefits and vitamin/mineral content of Garlic Mustard (click here).
Distinguishing Features: Broad heart-shaped or kidney-shaped leaves, coarse, rounded teeth, petite flowers, onion or garlic odour, slender pods that contain the seeds.
Leaves: Leaves grow one to seven centimetres in diameter and are anywhere from kidney to heart- shaped, with large rounded irregular teeth. First year plants have just a rosette of smaller round or kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped edges. Leaves may be hairless or hairy to varying degrees.
Height: 10 cm. to 1 metre.
Habitat: Grows across many areas of Canada and the U.S. along fence lines, wooded areas, swamps, ditches, roadsides, railway embankments and takes advantage of disturbed areas. This plant is often found in open disturbed forests.
Edible parts: Flowers, leaves, roots and seeds. Leaves in any season can be eaten but once the weather gets hot, the leaves will taste bitter. Flowers can be chopped and tossed into salads. The roots can be collected in early spring and again in late fall, when no flower stalks are present. Garlic mustard roots taste very spicy somewhat like horseradish. In the fall the seed can be collected and eaten.
Wild Food Recipes: Chicken Weed Wrap, Garlic Mustard Pesto, Sesame and Wilted Green Saute, Wild Pizza
