Weed of the Week

April 19th 2007

Tumble Mustard, Sisymbrium altissimum L.

 

Characteristics:

Family: Brassicaceae

Origin: Europe

Description:

• Winter annual
• Spreads easily
• Grows from 2 to 5 feet in height
• Seed is spread by tumbling
• One of the first plants to bloom in the Spring

Stems:

• Single stem bolts up from the base of the plant
• From this single stem, multiple branches radiate outward, somtimes bushy in appearance
• After blooming, the plant dries up, and the stem weakens.  Wind breaks the stem free, which then tumbles across the landscape spreading seeds as it goes

Flowers:

• Four light yellow petals patterned in the shape of a cross or X
• Numerous flowers per stem, usually located at the tip of the stem
• Early Spring bloomer, occurs April through June
• Prolific seed production

Leaves:

• Before bolting, leaves are basal, looking a lot like a giant dandelion but with much more robust, deeply lobed leaves
• Stem leaves are much smaller; lobes are less dramatic and are alternate
• Wavy in appearance

Location:

    Tumble Mustard is found in disturbed soils, along roadways, and in rangeland.  Skeletons often accumulate along fence lines.  This weed is not noxious.  It is more of a nuisance weed, like the dandelion.

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