Sisymbrium officinale
Brassicaceae
Late April to October and sometimes through mild winters.
It is found throughout the country.
See the BSBI distribution map for Hedge Mustard
Hedge Mustard is an archaeophyte and a common casual,
growing on waste ground, brownfield sites, at the base of
walls and hedges, alongside roads and paths, and on river
and canal banks.
It is an erect, annual or biennial herb growing up to 90cm.
It is easily recognised by its loose, candelabra-like shape.
The flowers are small (3mm across) with 4 pale yellow
petals.
There are 6 yellow stamens.
There is a single style with a capiate yellow stigma.
The pods are cylindrical, up to 15mm long and closely
aligned (appressed) with the stems.
The upper leaves have obvious basal lobes.
The lower leaves form a rosette, are pinnately lobed
with a large terminal lobe.
The stem can be downy and hairy, giving the whole
plant a pale grey appearance.
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Habit of Hedge Mustard by an urban wall
Habit by a canal
Flowerheads and upper leaves
Close-up of flowerhead
Hairy flower buds
Capitate stigma
6 stamens
Upper leaves and downy, hairy stem
Lower leaves - large terminal lobe
Pods aligned with stem
Close-up of adpressed pods and hairy stem
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