What’s the big deal with Garlic Mustard?
Photo: Glenn Miller, ODA
Garlic Mustard is a fast-working, aggressive invasive which has already infested much of the Columbia Gorge, Forest Park, and other parts of the 4-County area. Garlic Mustard out-competes native plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight; as beneficial native plant species disappear from certain areas, the overall ecology of the area is affected – impacting habitat, wildlife, and water quality. A recent Harvard study found that Garlic Mustard even harms the beneficial fungi upon which certain trees and forests depend for growth and nutrition.
Early detection and prevention are the keys to staving off this aggressive invader. Please report infestations to www.oregoninvasiveshotline.org, and remove any Garlic Mustard you find on your own property.
Check out these fact sheets for more information:
