February 2019. President Brett Trowbridge convened the 1134th meeting of NEBC in the Haller Lecture Hall at Harvard University on February 1st, 2019. Bob Wernerehl introduced the speaker, Dr. Kristina Stinson, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, who's presentation was titled “Ecology and Impacts of Garlic Mustard”.
Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) is called Jack-by-the-hedge in its home range in Europe, because it lives primarily in edge habitats such as roadsides and hedgerows. In North America garlic mustard has established as a forest understory species producing monotypic stands that prohibit the growth of native understory plants. Dr. Stinson reviewed the past research, focusing on ecology, impacts and management. The earliest studies revealed that tree seedling density decreases as garlic mustard density increases. Tree seedlings depend on mycorrhizal fungi which exchange nutrients and water for carbohydrates. Garlic mustard (Brassicaceae) produces phytochemicals including glucosinolates and flavonoids, which have antimicrobial...