Pollinator plant

Garlic mustard

Alliaria petiolata

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

57 names · 36 languages
EnglishYour language
+4 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (35)
Dutch
  • Look zonder look
  • Look-zonder-look[3][5]
French
Armenian
  • Սխտորաբույս դեղատու[5]
Belarusian
  • Часночнік лекавы[5]
Bulgarian
  • Лъжичина[5]
  • Чеснова трева[5]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
  • Ljekovita češnjača[5]
  • Češnjevka[5]
Czech
  • česnáček lékařský[5]
Danish
Estonian
  • salukõdrik[5]
Finnish
  • litulaukka[5]
  • rohtolitulaukka[5]
German
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Lauchkraut[4]
Greek
  • Αλλιάρια η φαρμακευτική[5]
Hebrew
  • אליאריה שומית[5]
Hungarian
  • hagymaszagú kányazsombor[5]
  • kányazsombor[5]
Irish
  • Bóchoinneal[5]
Italian
Japanese
  • ガーリックマスタード[5]
Korean
  • 마늘냉이[5]
Lithuanian
  • Vaistinė česnakūnė[5]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Czosnaczek pospolity[5]
Portuguese
Romanian
  • Usturoiţă[5]
Russian
  • Чесночница аптечная[5]
  • Чесночница черешчатая[5]
Serbian
  • Чешњача срцолисна[5]
Slovak
  • cesnačka lekárska[5]
Slovenian
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
  • Sarımsak Hardalı[5]
  • Sarımsakhardalı[5]
Ukrainian
  • Кінський часник черешковий[5]
Welsh
  • Garlleg y berth[5]
Sources & name notes (5)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Alliaria petiolata — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Garlic Mustard — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Garlicwort — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Hedge Garlic — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Mustard Root — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Poor Man's Mustard — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Alliaria petiolata.
[2] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • garlic mustard — Page 2, column 1, row top 622 pt; common-name cell after Alliaria petiolata.; Alliaria petiolata.
[3] Alliaria petiolata — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • garlic mustard — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Look-zonder-look — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • alliaire officinale — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Knoblauchsrauke — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Hedge mustard — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Jack-by-the-hedge — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • aliaria — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Hierba del Ajo — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Alliaire — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Herbe à ail — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Alliaria — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • aliária — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Erva-alheira — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
[4] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Alliaria petiolata ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Garlic Mustard (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 146987; taxon BTPF.
  • Knoblauchrauke — VernacularName.tsv, line 146988; taxon BTPF.
  • Lauchhederich (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 146989; taxon BTPF.
  • Lauchkraut — VernacularName.tsv, line 146990; taxon BTPF.
[5] Alliaria petiolata — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • garlic mustard — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Look-zonder-look — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • alliaire officinale — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Knoblauchsrauke — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Hedge mustard — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Jack-by-the-hedge — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • aliaria — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Hierba del Ajo — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Alliaire — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Herbe à ail — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Alliaria — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • aliária — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Erva-alheira — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • litulaukka — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Чесночница черешчатая — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • אליאריה שומית — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Löktrav — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • česnáček lékařský — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Løgkarse — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Чесночница аптечная — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • løkurt — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Лъжичина — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Чеснова трева — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Vaistinė česnakūnė — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • rohtolitulaukka — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Czosnaczek pospolity — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • cesnačka lekárska — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Česnovka — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Ljekovita češnjača — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Սխտորաբույս դեղատու — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • ガーリックマスタード — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • salukõdrik — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • 蔥芥 — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • 葱芥 — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Αλλιάρια η φαρμακευτική — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • 마늘냉이 — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • al·liària — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • allenc — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Usturoiţă — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Кінський часник черешковий — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Часночнік лекавы — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • hagymaszagú kányazsombor — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • kányazsombor — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Bóchoinneal — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Češnjevka — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Garlleg y berth — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Чешњача срцолисна — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Sarımsakhardalı — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
  • Sarımsak Hardalı — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 56061; Alliaria petiolata.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Alliaria petiolata is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Brassicaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Plant habit
Clumping

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Biennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Moist; Occasionally Wet

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Europe, western and central Asia, and Africa

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, moths.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Alliaria petiolata in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Medium
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous, Ground cover
Size
Small
Dimensions
1.00 m high × 0.40 m wide
Lifecycle
Biennial

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
6-8
Moisture
Moist, Wet
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Shade, Partial shade

Uses

Edible parts
Flowers, Leaves, Seed pod
Functions
Dye, Pollinator plant, Fragrant
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
2 out of 5

Young leaves of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked, for example as a vegetable or as a seasoning in prepared dishes. They have a subtle garlic and mustard flavor and are believed to promote digestion. The leaves can be finely chopped and added to salads. They are available early in the year and can be a delightful addition to winter salads. The flowers and young seed pods of this plant can also be eaten raw and have a subtle garlic-like taste.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Alliaria petiolata — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 4393681; ID BTPF; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 4393681; ID BTPF; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Alliaria petiolata — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Plant habitLife cycleGrowth rateLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Wildflowers

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 1, entry Alliaria petiolata (top 622 pt)

    Source checked on .