Invasive Garlic Mustard Plant Alliaria petiolata Alert
One of the biggest threats to natural ecosystems in Saanich is the spread of invasive non-native plants. The District of Saanich appreciates the cooperation of all residents in removing Garlic Mustard from private property. For assistance, see contacts on reverse.
Considered one of the most invasive plants in Canada.
Why is Garlic Mustard a problem? • Garlic Mustard is a serious threat to natural habitats and biodiversity. • Dominates understorey vegetation, monopolizing light, moisture and soil nutrients. • Produces phytotoxins (chemicals) inhibiting growth of other plants and trees. • Has been shown to disrupt the lifecycles of butterflies and salamanders in other areas of North America. • A prolific seed producer with seeds remaining viable for 5-10 years in soil; also self-pollinating (single seed produces new invasion). What does it look like? • First year: lower growing carpets of heart-shaped leaves with scalloped margins, remaining green over winter. • Second year: grow to over 1m tall; mature leaves triangular with scalloped margins becoming smaller towards top of plant. • Flowers: clusters of small white 4-petaled flowers at top of stem, usually one flowering stalk per plant. • Garlic odour when crushed. • Look for: White flowers (April to September), garlic odour, purple base of the stems and roots.
Could be confused with: Distribution: • Wild Violet (Viola spp) • Native to Europe and Asia. • Fringecup (Tellima grandiflora) • Eastern Canada: a species of • Nipplewort (Lapsana communis) major concern, has devastated forest ecosystems. • Money Plant (Lunaria annua) • A newer invader to BC: the • Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza berteroi) regional goal is to eradicate • Avens (Geum spp) due to current distribution and high priority.
www.invasives.saanich.ca Invasive SpeciesCouncilofBC King CountyNoxiousWeed Invasive Coastal InvasiveSpecies Other resources Plant Alert Report-a-Weed BC Committee Program • • Habitat andbiology: invasive plantsandvolunteeropportunities. Contact Saanichforassistanceandmoreinformation aboutGarlicMustard,other Wh • • • Pro • Large infestations • • • Small infestations • • • • • • • What shouldyoudo? • • • 250-475-5471 [email protected] Saanich EnvironmentalServices: On PrivateLand noxious weedsand othervegetation that couldspread orbecome anuisance Predominantly inforestareas,woodedstreambanksanddisturbed as anannual(floweringinfirstyear). Known asabiennialintheBrassicacea(mustard)family, cangrowinthisregion species. DO NOTCOMPOST! “invasive species”andtaketoHartlandLandfill. Currently, thebestoptionistoplaceallplantpartsingarbagebagslabelled www.invasives.saanich.ca. disposal. PleasecallEnvironmentalServicesorcheckthewebsiteforupdates The DistrictofSaanichisintheprocessdevelopingoptionsforinvasivespecies Please contactSaanichEnvironmentalServicesforassistance. Monitor regularlyforre-growthandremoveanynewplants. Apply athicklayerofmulchovertheareatosuppressnewgrowth. during removal. develop. Removeasmuchoftherootpossibleandminimizesoildisturbance Hand-pull startinginwinterorearlyspringwhensoilismoistandbeforeseeds with Saanichatwww.saanich.ca/pullingtogether. Volunteer: invasive plants(suchasappropriatenativespecies). Replant: treatment. Monitor: best controlmethods(below)toeliminateit. Remove: the infestedarea. Stop seedspread: Inform: Spread theword,notplant: Seed-set onearlyfloweringstartsaroundJunewithupto1000seedsperplant. through thesummer. The mainfloweringperiodisAprilthroughJunewithinsomecontinued Reproduces byseedandre-sproutingfromcutstemsroots. tolerates awidevarietyofconditionsincludingshade. o per The District of Saanichrequiresalllandowners cleartheirproperty ofany do youcal Dis please contactSaanich(asbelow)toreportlocations. aftereffectivelyeliminatingthisspeciesovertime,replantwithnon- ifyouhaveproperlyidentifiedGarlicMustardonyourproperty, usethe annuallyreturntothesite(spring&fall)forseveralyearscontinue posal findoutmoreaboutvolunteeringtocontrolpriorityinvasivespecies
l? www.invasives.saanich.ca brush/clean offclothing,tiresandequipmentbeforeleaving Noxious Weeds Bylaw No.8080: Home compostingislikelytoincreasethespreadof this
don’t buyorplantGarlicMustard. 250-475-5522 or Saanich Parks: On PublicLands
May 2013