General Impact
Alliaria petiolata can form dense stands because it has no natural predators, and it thrives in disturbed areas. In many forest areas of the eastern and midwestern USA, A. petiolata outcompetes native plants for light, nutrients, moisture and soil. Wildlife species dependant on these native plants for food are left without these valuable resources (PCA, 2006). The presence of garlic mustard interferes with oviposition of the rare native butterflies Pieris napi oleraceae and West Viginia white butterfly (please see Pieris virginiensis for more details on its conservation status). The native hosts of P. napi oleraceae and P. virginiensis are toothworts Cardamine concatenata [Dentaria laciniata] and Cardamine [Dentaria] diphylla. Eggs laid by females hatch but larvae are unable to complete development on garlic mustard (NatureServe. 2007).
Location Specific Impacts:United States (USA) 
Ecosystem change: Garlic mustard is one of the few non-indigenous herbaceous species able to invade and dominate the understory of North American forests.
Habitat alteration: In many forest areas of the eastern and midwestern USA, Alliaria petiolata outcompetes native plants for light, nutrients, moisture and soil. Wildlife species dependant on these native plants for food are left without these valuable resources (PCA, 2006). The presence of garlic mustard interferes with oviposition of the rare native butterflies Pieris napi oleraceae and West Viginia white butterfly (please see Pieris virginiensis for more details on its conservation status). The native hosts of P. napi oleraceae and P. virginiensis are toothworts Cardamine concatenata [Dentaria laciniata] and Cardamine [Dentaria] diphylla. Eggs laid by females hatch but larvae are unable to complete development on garlic mustard (NatureServe. 2007).
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