Belongs to: cabbage family

Garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata

Also known as: jack-by-the-hedge


Best time to see: early Apr to mid Jul

Key facts

Small heads of white flowers over nettle-like leaves, common beside hedgerows on moist soils

Its leaves smell of garlic when crushed and this is believed to deter insect attackers

Food plant for caterpillars of the orange tip butterfly: look for the orange eggs laid on the flower head


© Tony Gunton

© Owen Keen