Birdsrape Mustard, Wild Turnip, Field Mustard

(Brassica rapa L.)

Brassicaceae Family (Mustard Family)

young plant▲

mature plant▲

stem leaves clasp around stem▲

flowers▲

swollen root▲

fruit▲

Birdsrape Mustard, Wild Turnip, Field Mustard:  (not in Weeds of the Great Plains, nor Weeds of the Northeast)

      annual or winter annual, forming a large tuberous root (like a turnip)

      leafs gray-green, waxy, and clasp around the stem at their bases (distinguishes this from several other mustards)

      grows 2-5 feet tall, with elongated inflorescences with yellow flowers and 1-2” long or longer cylindrical siliques

      found in conservation tillage fields, roadsides, often as an escape from cover crop or hay crop plantings