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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Parks and Recreation
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802
218-730-4309 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact Kelli Latuska,
Public Information Officer at 218-730-5309
DATE: 6/4/2013
SUBJECT: Duluth Invasive Species Team to Target Garlic Mustard
BY: Amy Norris, Public Information Coordinator

Duluth Invasive Species Team to Target Garlic Mustard

 

The public will have the opportunity to learn more about an invasive terrestrial plant that is making its home in Duluth - garlic mustard. Typically, garlic mustard flowers arrive in late April to early May, but with the uncharacteristically cool spring, Duluth’s patches have held off until June. The weed is among the most noxious in Minnesota, forming a dense carpet that can crowd out tree seedlings and native wildflowers. It is particularly troublesome because it infests shaded areas, which is unusual for invasive plant species.

 

“At first glance, one might mistake it for Creeping Charlie,” says Mark Tomshack, one of five Invasive Species Management Interns serving with the City of Duluth this summer. Its appearance is characterized by small, round, scalloped-edged evergreen leaves in its first year. Second-year plants have larger, arrow-shaped leaves. The second-year plants also bolt to heights of up to two feet and produce a small, white, four-petaled flower. “Other giveaways are that the leaves and stems will smell like onion or garlic when crushed, and when you gently pull up its root, it has a quirky bend to it,” adds Tomshack.

 

Currently, there are only two known patches of garlic mustard, both located in east hillside neighborhoods. There could be more, warns Tomshack, stressing the importance of community education and awareness. “This is a long-term problem,” he explains. “Getting rid of even a single patch is a multi-year effort.”

 

Community members are invited to join Duluth Parks and Recreation on the following two Thursdays to learn more about identification and control methods for garlic mustard. 

 

Thursday, June 6 – 5:30-6:30pm – Meet at the corner of 11th Avenue East and East 7th Street

Thursday, June 13 – 5:30-6:30pm – Meet at the corner of North 7th Ave East and Kelly Street

 

For more information about these events, please contact Cheryl Skafte, Volunteer Coordinator, City of Duluth, at cskafte@duluthmn.gov or 218-393-9879.

 

Those seeking more information about garlic mustard and other non-native plants are encouraged to visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/herbaceous/garlicmustard.html.

 

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