Brassicaceae

Hirschfeldia incana

Common Names: Buchan weed

Plant Form: Annual or biennial erect herb. Size: Up to 1 m tall. Stem: Green or pale green, covered in stiff bristle like hairs. Leaves: Larger lower leaves, up to 35 cm long, smaller further up. Deeply lobed ovate shape, sometimes with toothed edges, less lobed higher up. Flowers: Many small flowers on branching stems with 4 pale yellow petals, typical Brassicaceae type, but sometimes with purple veins. Fruit and Seeds: Green, cylindrical up to 2 cm long, held closely to stalk, and usually covered in stiff hairs. Slight constrictions between small reddish-brown seeds. Habitat: Roadsides, wasteland, grasslands, cropping areas. Distinguishing Features: Very similar to other Brassicaceae species but fruit has beak at the end which resembles old fashioned clothes peg. Impacts: Competes with crops, can taint meat and dairy, can invade disturbed bushland and replace native species.

Large leaves near ground

Sprey of yellow flowers

Growth habit