Brassicaceae

Erucastrum austroafricanum

Synonyms: Sisymbrium thellungii

Plant Form: Annual rosette herb. Size: Up to 60 cm tall. Stem: Upright, branching, with backward-pointing stiff hairs. Leaves: Rosette leaves up to 30 cm long with 3-7 pairs of lobes. Smaller leaves higher up. Also covered in stiff backward-pointing hairs. Flowers: Typical Mustard family (Brassicaceae) flowers with 4 yellow petals up to 8 mm long. Fruit and Seeds: Long narrow 7-12 cm long pods covered in stiff hairs. On stalks that point away from stem giving spread out appearance. Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, pastures, riparian areas, forests. Distinguishing Features: Very difficult to distinguish from numerous others in Mustard family (Brassicaceae), so expert advice is advised. May be distinguished from other Sisymbrium species by its long, rougly hairy fruit.