Brassicaceae

Sisymbrium altissimum

Tumble Mustard

Stems erect, with many branches, few narrow leaves. Leaves in basal rosette and on lower stem widely lance-shaped, pinnately divided, with leaflets or lobes toothed; upper leaves scattered on stem with linear to thread-like lobes or leaflets. Flowers small, pale yellow, few, clustered at tips of most branches. Seedpods rigid, 2–4 in. long on stalks as big around as the pods, spreading outward from stem. Widespread weed of disturbed soils, fields, roadsides, at low to mid elevations. After growth cycle, plant uproots and blows with the wind as a tumbleweed, dispersing seeds.

• Rarity: Common
• Flowering Time: All Spring And Summer
• Life Cycle: Annual, Biennial
• Height: 2--4 feet
• Habitat: Disturbed, Meadow, Shrub-Steppe
• Found In: Olympic Np, Mt. Rainier Np, Wallowas, Steens, N Cascades Np
• Native: No