Wildlife Spotting

Listed as an Invasive species in Illinois. Out competes native woodland spring flowers. "Garlic Mustard was introduced into the United States as a potherb. The young leaves are edible to humans and quite nutritious – they can be added to salads or boiled in water and seasoned like spinach. The garlic-like aroma of the foliage is quite pronounced, which sets this species apart from many other members of the Mustard family (as well as plants from other families). At the present time, Garlic Mustard is the worst exotic invader of deciduous woodlands in Illinois as it has the capacity to crowd out and destroy all of the native wildflowers that bloom during the spring. " http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/garlic_mustard.htm Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata Mustard family (Brassiaceae)