Garlic mustard, everywhere

Among the worst of the worst invasive species, consider the Garlic Mustard. Allaria petiolata is a biennial public enemy that was introduced into this country from Europe in the middle of the 19th century—it was first documented here in 1868—and as near as anyone can determine, the plant was brought to our shores in the hope that it might serve as food and medicine. I guess it seemed a good idea at the time, but "Sauce-alone" or "Poor Man's Mustard" soon left cultivation and quickly established itself in the wild... to the detriment of any native plants trying to make their own living. It grows so luxuriantly that it can crowd out competitors and to further its ambitions, it also employs chemical warfare. As a further negative, its abundant flowers—rather pretty, I'd reluctantly admit—aren't that good a food source for bees and butterflies, and worse, the plants aren't fodder for caterpillar growth. I'll give it grudging respect, and it's a fine photographic object, particularly since it often lures in the bee flies I love to watch, but as often as not, I'll shoot, then pull it out of the ground.