Sisymbrium loeselii

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Sisymbrium loeselii
Sisymbriumloeselii.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Sisymbrium
Species:
S. loeselii
Binomial name
Sisymbrium loeselii
L.

Sisymbrium loeselii is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae known by several common names, including small tumbleweed mustard, [1] false London-rocket, [2] and tall hedge mustard. It is native to Eurasia, and it is known on other continents as an introduced species and in some areas a common roadside weed.

Contents

It is an annual herb producing a hairy, erect stem which can exceed a meter in height. The leaf blades are divided into triangular, lance-shaped, and toothed linear lobes, and are borne on petioles. The top of the stem is occupied by a raceme of flowers with bright yellow petals each measuring just under a centimeter long. The fruit is a silique up to 3.5 centimeters in length containing tiny seeds.

Closeup of flowers, in West Bengal, India. Flowers of tall hedge mustard (Sisymbrium loeselii) in West Bengal, India.jpg
Closeup of flowers, in West Bengal, India.

This plant is allelopathic against other species growing around it. It produces chemicals that inhibit the germination of seeds of other species, including bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) and Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis). [3] It also inhibits arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus species, such as Glomus intraradices . [3]

The species is named for German botanist Johannes Loesel. [4]

Uses

The leaves are spicy enough to make wasabi but can also be mixed into salads and other dishes. [5]

References

  1. NRCS. "Sisymbrium loeselii". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  2. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. 1 2 Bainard, L. D., et al. (2009). Inhibitory effect of tall hedge mustard (Sisymbrium loeselii) allelochemicals on rangeland plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Weed Science 57(4):386-393.
  4. "Putnam Park Wildflowers". www.chem.uwec.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  5. Nyerges, Christopher (2017). Foraging Washington: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Foods. Guilford, CT: Falcon Guides. ISBN   978-1-4930-2534-3. OCLC   965922681.