Jack-by-the-hedge

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• garlic mustard
• hedge garlic
• hedge-garlic
• jack-by-the-hedge
• Hedge mustard

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sisymbrium alliaria
• Crucifera alliaria
• Hesperis alliaria
• Alliaria officinalis f. grandifolia
• Erysimum cordifolium
• Arabis petiolata
• Clypeola alliacea
• Pallavicinia alliaria
• Arabis alliaria
• Erysimum alliaria
• Sisymbrium truncatum
• Alliaria matthioli

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Alliaria petiolata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Brassicales. Finally, it is a member of the family Brassicaceae and is categorized under the genus Alliaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Alliaria petiolata, exhibits a specific geographical presence across parts of Northern Europe. Its range extends through the Scandinavian peninsula, where it can be found in both Norway and Finland. Additionally, the species is documented within the coastal and mainland regions of Denmark. Moving westward, the plant is also distributed across the British Isles. Specifically, its occurrence is noted in both Great Britain and Ireland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Alliaria petiolata is characterized by its preference for sheltered environments, specifically thriving within forest ecosystems and shrubberies. This species occupies a significant vertical gradient in its distribution, found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 400 m AMSL to a maximum of 2800 m AMSL. Such a broad altitudinal range suggests an ability to adapt to varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures within its preferred woodland and shrub-dominated habitats.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Alliaria petiolata is characterized by a biennial lifecycle, though it can exhibit variable growth patterns depending on environmental conditions. As a hemicryptophyte, the plant protects its perennating buds at the soil surface level during unfavorable seasons, a structural adaptation that supports its survival through various climatic shifts. The species is distinctly deciduous, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle. This combination of a biennial strategy and a hemicryptophytic life form allows the plant to establish itself effectively within its ecological niche, transitioning from vegetative growth to reproductive maturity over its lifespan.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alliaria petiolata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation and is a self-supporting species, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches an average height of approximately 0.58 m, though individual specimens can vary significantly in size, ranging from a minimum height of 0.12 m to a maximum of 1.2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.583333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.12 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alliaria petiolata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than supplemental insect consumption. The plant exhibits significant morphological variation in its foliage, with leaf lengths reaching a maximum of 11 cm and a mean leaf width of 5.8 cm (which also represents its minimum and maximum recorded widths). The average leaf size is approximately 75.14 cm², contributing to its overall canopy structure. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a high Specific Leaf Area (SLA) with a mean value of 412 cm²/g, suggesting relatively thin, high-surface-area leaves optimized for light interception and gas exchange within its ecological niche.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf size mean:

75.14 cm²

Leaf width mean:

5.8 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

412 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alliaria petiolata is driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is noted to be absent. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in June, during which the plant utilizes biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on insects and bees to facilitate fertilization. Self-fertilization is present within the species, ensuring reproductive success. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a dehiscence capsule. These capsules vary in size, with a mean length of 4.7 cm (ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 8 cm) and a mean width of 0.2125 cm (ranging from 0.2 cm to 0.25 cm). The seeds produced are uniform in length at 3.2 mm, with a mean mass of approximately 0.00260120825 g, reaching a maximum of 0.003451 g and a minimum of 0.00172 g. Once the capsules reach maturity, they undergo dehiscence to release the seeds, which are dispersed via an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing the wind for distribution.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

8 cm

Fruit length mean:

4.7 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.25 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.2125 cm

Fruit width min:

0.2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

3.2 mm

Seed mass max:

0.003451 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00260120825 g

Seed mass min:

0.00172 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Alliaria petiolata has 31 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include -carotene, 1-Cyano-2,3-epithiopropane, ALLYL ISOTHIOCYANATE, Allyl glucosinolate, Allyl sulfide.

-carotene

1. Dr. Duke

1-Cyano-2,3-epithiopropane

1. Dr. Duke

ALLYL ISOTHIOCYANATE

1. Dr. Duke

Allyl glucosinolate

1. Dr. Duke

Allyl sulfide

1. Dr. Duke

Arachidic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Benzyl glucosinolate

1. Dr. Duke

But-3-enyl isothiocyanate

1. Dr. Duke

DIALLYL SULFIDE

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Alliaria petiolata has 200 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Acantholytic, Acidulant, Albuminurigenic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acantholytic

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Albuminurigenic

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Alliaria petiolata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include MeOH extracts.

Meoh extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR