Brassicaceae

Raphanus raphanistrum

Common Names: Wild radish

Plant Form: Upright annual or biennial rosette herb. Size: 40 cm to 1 m tall. Stem: Long, thin, covered in stiff hairs. Leaves: 15-20 cm long deeply lobed and variable at base, decreasing in size further up. Flowers: Four yellow to white petals with purple veins in propellor shape, each petal up to 2 cm long. Fruit and Seeds: Variable form but long and narrow pod, 2-9 cm long on stalk 1-2.5 cm long. Habitat: Roadsides, wasteland, vacant land. Distinguishing Features: Fruit breaks into ribbed 1-seeded units, flowers are slightly different in appearance to most other Mustard family (Brassicaceae) species. Impacts: Reduces crop yield, contaminates seed, taints meat and dairy.