Garlic mustard: invasive, destructive, edible (2020)(nature.org)
nature.org
Garlic mustard: invasive, destructive, edible (2020)
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/indiana/stories-in-indiana/garlic-mustard/
17 comments
I mean they kind of say in there. It's an early emergent and it has broad leaves and grows dense mats, which inhibits native species from emerging. The native species are more suited to pollinators and other insects. They're also better at holding the soil together (so removing garlic mustard does in fact improve erosion control)
In my own exploration on my land, I've noticed that dead wood and leaves break down much slower where garlic mustard grows. This could be lack of insects or it could be something allopathic in the soil left by garlic mustard against fungal growth. In any case, the stuff is definitely detrimental to the land around it.
As for edibility the young greens are honestly some of my favorites. They work really well in spicy, meat heavy stir-fries and provide fresh greens at a time when there aren't a lot of fresh veggies about except for tough old kale and grocery store spinach.
In my own exploration on my land, I've noticed that dead wood and leaves break down much slower where garlic mustard grows. This could be lack of insects or it could be something allopathic in the soil left by garlic mustard against fungal growth. In any case, the stuff is definitely detrimental to the land around it.
As for edibility the young greens are honestly some of my favorites. They work really well in spicy, meat heavy stir-fries and provide fresh greens at a time when there aren't a lot of fresh veggies about except for tough old kale and grocery store spinach.
> I mean they kind of say in there.
Right, but like -- how do we know that's bad? Could it be that covering the ground is actually _better_ for certain species to thrive which has a net positive effect on the ecosystem (I don't know, but it's not clear from the passing mention that garlic mustard is out-competing other species.
The idea that we could return to a world where there are only native species in an ecosystem is totally insane. I'm not suggesting that we should let all native species die off, or be left to fight it out for themselves without human intervention. But focusing on presence of native species as an indicator for ecosystem health doesn't seem to be a helpful measure.
Right, but like -- how do we know that's bad? Could it be that covering the ground is actually _better_ for certain species to thrive which has a net positive effect on the ecosystem (I don't know, but it's not clear from the passing mention that garlic mustard is out-competing other species.
The idea that we could return to a world where there are only native species in an ecosystem is totally insane. I'm not suggesting that we should let all native species die off, or be left to fight it out for themselves without human intervention. But focusing on presence of native species as an indicator for ecosystem health doesn't seem to be a helpful measure.
A perfectly fine forest plant in other areas. Native from extensive areas in Eurasia
Alliaria is not particularly invasive here and nurtures the caterpillars of some nice butterflies. I like it, but I understand how can be problematic in US. People suffering from asthma could find it useful.
Alliaria is not particularly invasive here and nurtures the caterpillars of some nice butterflies. I like it, but I understand how can be problematic in US. People suffering from asthma could find it useful.
> A perfectly fine forest plant in other areas.
That is the case of most invasive species. In their normal range they’re just a thing, the rest of the system has the ability to control or benefit from it (predation, competition, …).
In SEA, kudzu is a useful common wild plant.
That is the case of most invasive species. In their normal range they’re just a thing, the rest of the system has the ability to control or benefit from it (predation, competition, …).
In SEA, kudzu is a useful common wild plant.
Eating invasive is humanity’s best bet at utilizing human greed for the good of the environment.
Yeah but it doesn't taste very good. My mom made me eat it when I was a kid.
> Edible
"older plants need to be cooked thoroughly as they contain cyanide"
Not that edible.
"older plants need to be cooked thoroughly as they contain cyanide"
Not that edible.
There's lots of foods that will make you sick if not cooked the right way. There's even more foods that will make you sick if you eat too much of them. Edible and poisonous aren't distinct circles in a Venn diagram.
> Not that edible.
The boiling point of cyanide is barely above room temperature, so it's very easily removed by heating. Same as with elderberry.
The boiling point of cyanide is barely above room temperature, so it's very easily removed by heating. Same as with elderberry.
Even if it's in there cyanide is pretty readily inactivated by the body because we have been dealing with it as a plant toxin to stop us from eating said plant forever. The issue is just avoiding a dose that overloads our own treatment system in the event we don't eliminate it through other means like heating.
Cody's lab video where he drinks some and explains the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6hOVhQQ9hI
Cody's lab video where he drinks some and explains the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6hOVhQQ9hI
There are other articles that claim the young plants contain cyanide, others that claim chopping the leaves causes the cyanide to break down.
I have been eating them for years without getting sick from them. On the other hand I know people who eat Amantia Muscaria mushrooms who seem to have suffered nothing worse than hallucinations and nausea.
I have been eating them for years without getting sick from them. On the other hand I know people who eat Amantia Muscaria mushrooms who seem to have suffered nothing worse than hallucinations and nausea.
> people who eat Amantia Muscaria mushrooms who seem to have suffered nothing worse than hallucinations and nausea.
That is fairly typical for moderate doses.
That is fairly typical for moderate doses.
And apple seeds contain cyanid. And almost all the produce at the grocery store contains pesticides which will kill you in some dosage.
Nightshades contain toxic alkaloids, and a number of them are considered edible (potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, ...)
In Italy is often eaten.
Just eat it ! (insert weird al videoclip here)
If spending time in the forest is a requirement for the improvement work (opposed to desk work, fighting land developers, etc), I would think working on something like erosion control, stream bank cover, or if you need to pull something up go after vines threatening large trees.
At the least I’d like to see some evidence about why garlic mustard is so bad for the forests. Like compared to other issues facing the forests, there are SO MANY, how does garlic mustard stack up?
As for eating it, I only really like the young leaves. Though i’ve been told the best part is the tender stalks of second year plant.