Sisymbrium orientale L.   Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)                        Europe   Hedge Mustard                       Flax Weed                        Oriental Sisymbrium

                                           February Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Erect annual or biennial with pubescent or hirsute stems, 2-6 dm. high; lower lvs. pinnatifid, 5-12 cm. long; upper lvs. entire to pinnatifid with a terminal lobe to hastate,  lance-linear to ovate, the lateral lobes paired; petals yellow, 7-8 mm. long; siliques ascending-spreading, 4-9 cm. long, 1-1.5 mm. thick; seed scarcely 1 mm. long; fruiting pedicels as thick as the siliques, 3-10 mm. long, ascending.    

Habitat:  Common weed from Ventura Co. to San Diego. Below 1000 m. To TX, Baja CA. May

Name:  Sisymbrium, Greek name for some crucifer. (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 301).  Latin, oriens, or orientis, east.  (Jaeger 300).  Orientale is the adjective form meaning eastern.  John Johnson suggests that perhaps Linnaeus regarded the species as being from Asia; of Asia Minor, hence eastern.

General:  Occasional throughout the study area.  Photographed on the Castaway's Bluffs.  Comparison of adjacent S. irio plants shows that this species has fewer, much longer siliques; petals are larger and flowers open more fully. (my comments).     The seeds may be parched and ground into a nutritious flour.  The young plants make a good potherb.  (Kirk 38).     There are 9 known species in California.  (Robbins et al. 236).

Text Ref:  Abrams, Vol. II 267; Munz, Calif. Flora 231; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 302; Roberts 16.

Photo Ref:  Feb 2 84 # 23; March 1 84 # 2; March 1 85 # 22A.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by F. Roberts.  

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 15.  

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 10/23/02.

                                March Photo