Jack in the Hedge

I like to use wild plants and readily available just now, in fact only a few metres from my door, is a plentiful supply of Jack in the Hedge or Garlic Mustard (Alliaria Petiolata). Alternative names are Poor Man's Mustard and Sauce Alone which give a clue to its culinary uses. It has a mild garlic flavour and the leaves will be an addition to our salad planned for tomorrow. The plant grows in hedges and on woodland edges and the leaves can easily be found in late winter and used for salads or making pesto or chopped finely then added to olive oil to make a good salad dressing. I've not had the patience to collect the seeds for making mustard though. At this time of year people might be familiar with the smell in woodland of the stronger tasting Wild Garlic or Ramsons (Allium Arsinum) but this is a different plant family but also delicious added to salads or soup.
Last year by now I had seen several Orange Tip butterflies which feed on the leaves of Garlic Mustard but I've not seen any so far. We need some warm sunshine.

(It was so windy so it was difficult to get a good image)