Hi
Please can anyone identify this plant, which may be a weed. They are large leaves, about the size of my hand growing in clumps. ( the smaller leaves in foreground are primulas) I think they were in the new top soil in my new raised beds. No sign of any flowers.
Mary
Posts
Alliaria petiolata, Jack by the Hedge
Food plant for the larvae of Orange Tip butterflies
Just been and had a sniff, I think you have got it. Thank you. I think I'll pull most out but leave a couple of plants. Didn't want to dig any out until I knew what it was.
I'm not condoning the sampling of questionable plants but I sometimes have a quick nibble to differentiate species. Not suggesting you follow suit!!!
Alliaria petiolata is also known as garlic mustard and has a very garlicky taste with soft undertones of mustard (sort of). It makes a superb salad leaf/ garnish. It is usually a Spring plant and has (mostly) finished its business by this time of year; dead leaves, horiontal seed pods standing perpendicuar to the upright stems.
On the allotment there is analomst identical-looking plant hat is incredbly close in appearane toa a seeyoung dling garlic mustard but evades identificationas as it tastes bitter beyond belief.